Basically increasingly local authorities are charging for the treatment of rats in domestic properties. It seems Stroud District are now the only Council in Gloucestershire that continues to provide a free treatment service for rats. The Council has resisted introducing a charge for the service in recognition of the public health significance of rat infestations. However they have always had a policy of making a charge where livestock is kept including chickens.
Keeping chickens does attract rats and this is borne out by the experience of the pest officers. The admin staff make it clear during the initial request that there will be a charge in domestic premises where chickens are kept. Of course there are sometimes other issues - for example if waste land is part of the problem then there are powers under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act to take action where appropriate through the service of statutory notices.
1 comment:
Rats love to eat.
If your feed for your chickens are accessible, the rats will come.
If you have heard the expression "IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME"
Well the opposite is true for rats if you have a "RAT PROOF" chicken feeder.
I got one from "www.thecarpentershop.net" and could not be happier.
I enjoy being able to put enough feed to lastfor many days and not have to worry.
The one I have has a "treadle" where the chickens step on and the door swings open, then they finish, step off the treadle, and the door swings closed again. Beautiful.
Check out the design and how it works. You will love it too. Rats don't though.
They will have to go somewhere else to get their food.
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