Rats on peanuts

snake · #1 (**permalink**) 04-11-2009, 11:26 PM

I have a couple of feeders set up fairly close to the house where I get the odd birds feeding. The peanuts have been disappearing a lot faster than the few birds that are visiting can get through.
Tonight I found out where the peanuts are going.

ron1863 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-11-2009, 11:28 PM

A lovely shot snake, my peanuts, which are in a similar type feeder are broken into by squirrels who chew through the wire.

Madelinew · #3 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 06:54 AM

Lovely pic. Is it my imagination or are they laughing at you?

Vincent86 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 02:50 PM

Oh, that explains the fast disappearance of your peanuts

Lovely shot, the one standing looks so excited.

david156 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 06:13 PM

Great photo as usual.

Your not the only one with rats eating the bird food!

Was at RSPB reserve at strumpshaw fen, in Norfolk yesturday and they have a couple of young rats eating the seed.

They were a bit jumpy cos of a number of Pheasants feeding nearby and a stoat that had been hunting them all morning. (The stoat didn't appear for me!

)

Madelinew · #6 (**permalink**) 06-11-2009, 08:35 AM

We have a red squirrel hide on the Isle of Wight which does what it says on the tin. It's next to a stream so attracts waterfowl too. And then there is Ratty. Well quite a few Ratties and they are just as entertaining as the rest of the wildlife. It's hilarious watching a duck waddle across and wallop one on the head to stop it pinching the food. The squirrels chase them off too. I had a rat in my garden that made a regular trip across the same route to beneath the bird table. Until a neighbour's cat got wise to it's regular habits and got it. I've known another neighbour to put poison down but she only has a rat problem because she overdoes the bird feeding AND puts loads of bread out along with the bird food. I'm hoping she's stopped the poison now after the pet shop owner pointed out that her own cats would be in big trouble if they picked up a poisoned rat.

I rather enjoy watching Ratty and his mates.

Vincent86 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-11-2009, 12:23 PM

Actually the photo shared by the thread starter reminds me of the movie g-force.

They seem to know where the camera is.

Kayleigh · #8 (**permalink**) 06-11-2009, 02:56 PM

Lovely shot I had to laugh at the bottom rat the look on his face..

metalfish · #9 (**permalink**) 06-11-2009, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madelinew

I've known another neighbour to put poison down but she only has a rat problem because she overdoes the bird feeding AND puts loads of bread out along with the bird food. I'm hoping she's stopped the poison now after the pet shop owner pointed out that her own cats would be in big trouble if they picked up a poisoned rat.

I rather enjoy watching Ratty and his mates.

Yes, be carefull my dog picked up a rat that'd died from poison. I've never heard a dog groaning in such a deep voice before, she kept putting her rear in the air and front end right down on the ground, the vet said she was trying tostretch her stomach coz the poison causes cronic cramping, along with bleeding organs. She was in the vets for three days on a drip and v. ill. I don't think a rat deserves that either.

Madelinew · #10 (**permalink**) 06-11-2009, 08:18 PM

My first cat almost died the same way when she was just 6 months old (Lived to ripe old age of 18). But my neighbour is not exactly approachable unfortunately otherwise I'd take her to task on it. As I say I think the pet shop guy we both order our pet and bird food from may have warned her off it when I mentioned to him that she was putting some down. She wouldn't have a problem at all if she didn't overdo the feeding with inappropriate food.