30-6 Posted September 29, 2022 Report Share Posted September 29, 2022 One farm near to me , took all his old hay bales out of his shed and filled with this year's hay. Prior to this there was evidence of rat activity, it all went quiet but now they seem to be returning. I've caught 3 in fenns all males. On another near farm ( they are brother in law's ), been catching rats all year through in and around the various out buildings, had 40 so far in fenns and snap. Had a few more today all males. Is there any explanation why lately they all seem to be male ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39TDS Posted September 29, 2022 Report Share Posted September 29, 2022 Only speculating but rats are said to be timid with new food sources and therefore traps. Are the males a little bolder and are the first ones to try it? Is this a new thing or have you not taken any notice in the past? Have to admit I have never sexed them when trapping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jall25 Posted September 30, 2022 Report Share Posted September 30, 2022 In a similar vein i have shot 50 foxes in one field this year Out of the first 40 38 were dogs ! I think the males are so much bolder as above and first to the food. The doe rats could be also caring for pups - the females also binge eat and so perhaps spend last time vulnerable to trapping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultrastu Posted September 30, 2022 Report Share Posted September 30, 2022 2 hours ago, jall25 said: In a similar vein i have shot 50 foxes in one field this year Out of the first 40 38 were dogs ! I think the males are so much bolder as above and first to the food. The doe rats could be also caring for pups - the females also binge eat and so perhaps spend last time vulnerable to trapping Maybe the males are going out to get food and bring it back to the females . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jall25 Posted September 30, 2022 Report Share Posted September 30, 2022 Yes i think so Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gas seal Posted September 30, 2022 Report Share Posted September 30, 2022 Hi yes it could be the female rats staying with the young. The females will be out less than the male maybe when you have killed all the males and think all the rats are gone all the young ones will be out. I was always told that the male would eat the young. I never thought about the rats I’ve killed if they were male or female, but a rat in young is easy enough to see. A dog fox will feed the female and will be out more in the breeding season. I have noticed more rats about in the last few years, some are using rabbit burrows since the vhd killed the rabbits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30-6 Posted September 30, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2022 Never monitored it before really, just something I've noticed recently. Some have been quite large. The snap traps are baited, but the fenns are mostly just on the runs. The bait I've been using lately is crushed up fish pellets scattered over the plate of the trap. I have noticed by their absence squirrels this year, last couple of years we caught or shot quite a few, but this year haven't bothered. BUT, when the ton bags of barley supplement feed arrives they seem to always find it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FOXHUNTER1 Posted October 1, 2022 Report Share Posted October 1, 2022 On 30/09/2022 at 05:03, jall25 said: In a similar vein i have shot 50 foxes in one field this year Out of the first 40 38 were dogs ! I think the males are so much bolder as above and first to the food. The doe rats could be also caring for pups - the females also binge eat and so perhaps spend last time vulnerable to trapping 50 foxes in 1 field , you must have a kind RSPCA van dropping them off 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jall25 Posted October 1, 2022 Report Share Posted October 1, 2022 5 hours ago, FOXHUNTER1 said: 50 foxes in 1 field , you must have a kind RSPCA van dropping them off 👍 No i honestly dont think so - it is a find with everything in they would ever want - a pond / food cover Since that lot over circa 3 months i have only shot about 4 or 5 on the rest of 500 acres Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FOXHUNTER1 Posted October 2, 2022 Report Share Posted October 2, 2022 15 hours ago, jall25 said: No i honestly dont think so - it is a find with everything in they would ever want - a pond / food cover Since that lot over circa 3 months i have only shot about 4 or 5 on the rest of 500 acres Definitely drop offs mate 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jall25 Posted October 2, 2022 Report Share Posted October 2, 2022 No as i say i dont think so Im there everyday and just about every night The local Turkey farm has not had Turkeys this year and so the foxes had moved from Turkey to Pheasant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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