Aviary masacre

urbantiger · Post by **urbantiger** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 11:12 am

Alec's Finches wrote:i wonder how a rat caught a finch, i mean rats cant fly... unless it attacked at night

I have been debating that for a while,

the last 3 finches i could'nt catch because they were too fast, was a zebra & 2 bengalese, too fast for their own good in hindsight.

I think the rats got them at night where they were roosting, or like someone said above they were spooked, and flew into the mesh and ended up on the floor.

urbantiger · Post by **urbantiger** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 11:19 am

Mike
True, right down the food chain.

I dont think for one minute were saying all Rats are evil !!!
just these big beggars with a taste for living feathered flesh.
Most rats are happy with just pinching the grain.
Also
I would say that in this day and age, there are some Humans that are branded as Evil.

urbantiger · Post by **urbantiger** » Sat May 02, 2009 8:40 pm

No sign of any rats now for 10 days or more, traps still set, bait box undisturbed, still an empty aviary as i'm just not sure yet about putting some poor little bird in there, would feel like live bait and i'm torn.

But then they should'nt be able to get in any more. My ratman says its rat proof but then he said that once before when i still had 20 birds in there.

Have now found some Rat repellent powder, so libral sprinklings of that in the Garden in and around the aviary.

If that does'nt work i'll scream......

ryanf · Post by **ryanf** » Sat May 02, 2009 8:44 pm

its definately not a snake as there were parts remaining. based on the remains i would say racoon or cat

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Sat May 02, 2009 8:49 pm

urbantiger
Did you ever find or know where they got in at for sure

HoangQuan · Post by **HoangQuan** » Sat May 02, 2009 10:34 pm

If that wasnt rats, we must know what we are dealing with, can you just set a webcam or some kind of security cam around the area to find out what kind of animal did this to your birds? I personally think cat or racoon are way too big to get in.
As my friend used to tell me, whatever ate so much of birds definitely has a taste for birds, so it wont touch your baits, and, some rats can be so smart that they will never stuck in a trap( I will say that was living experiences when rats live near man). So, I think it definitely not a good idea bringing your birds back to the aviary untill you catch smthing or when you can really sure it's safe out there.
Keep your eyes wide open and wait...wish you the best luck!

ryanf · Post by **ryanf** » Sun May 03, 2009 8:51 am

my guess is there's a spot you're missing and a cat or coon is getting inside.

the one time i saw a rat eat a bird the feet were all that was left. cats and coons don't seem to like the wings though

urbantiger · Post by **urbantiger** » Sun May 03, 2009 2:29 pm

ryanf wrote:its definately not a snake as there were parts remaining. based on the remains i would say racoon or cat

ooo no no

The holes found were no bigger than 2" diameter into the ground.
far too big for a cat

and we dont have raccoons in the UK anyway

snakes were discounted long ago because of the bits left, plus most of our snakes are small and harmless.

The 2 small holes we did find were pumped full of rat poison,
then cement poured in, and mesh completely covered floor and cement around the edge and any joins.

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Sun May 03, 2009 2:37 pm

Happy that you have found where they came in ,to me thats the most important and to have it sealed securly good job

urbantiger · Post by **urbantiger** » Mon May 04, 2009 2:05 pm

Well here goes
nearly 2 weeks and no more signs of rats

i have to do the acid test to make sure they arent getting in.
i had 2 brave volunteers to take up residence,
please keep your fingers crossed.
I just cannot see how any rat can get in now..

1 of the fab Bengalese

lovemyfinch · Post by **lovemyfinch** » Mon May 04, 2009 2:14 pm

Fingers and toes are crossed. Good luck.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Mon May 04, 2009 2:19 pm

Everything is crossed over here across the pond too! Hope all goes well from here on. He sure looks cute!

Finch Fry · Post by **Finch Fry** » Mon May 04, 2009 10:23 pm

Goodness... a test finch. Make me almost sick to my stomach that he is bait.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Tue May 05, 2009 4:14 am

Remove finch and put one of these in for a month

Finch Fry · Post by **Finch Fry** » Tue May 05, 2009 8:20 am

poohbear wrote:Remove finch and put one of these in for a month

See, now THAT is an idea I can support!!!!

Heck yah pooh!