Hi folks.
I need your help and opinions. Today I've been offered an allotment. I've been waiting for aaaaages! The only thing is,is that apparently it is beside another allotment where the guy has many chickens and has alot of rats. Now I don't know what to do. I expected there to be rats about anyway but seeing as I'm a complete novice,and seeing as the rat thing was pointed out to me,will they be a big problem? Is it something to just except or should I hang fire and wait for another allotment to come up? What to do,what to do?? Couple of other considerations, I would at some point like a couple of chooks myself and the other is I will be taking my kids to the allotment. (which is making me veer to the turning down of the allotment...oh the disapointment !)
I've kept hens in the past (200 at one count) and it isn't the hens that attract rats, it's the food the hens eat. There's sometimes spilt food or containers that store it aren't rat proof. If the land is council land then he's bound by rules that relate to keep 'livestock'. The rats shouldn't bother your plot other than when they scaving around looking for bedding or a place to live!
If you're thinking of keeping hens yourself, then expect to see the odd rat. Normally they keep away from humans, but if you corner one in a shed or wall edge, look out!
rats continuously pee whereever they go, and can spread weils disease!
not too safe with kids around i would say, sorry
(i know about this because rats also live on building sites a lot, and near canals...)
svea
I agree with Kenkew if you keep your plot clean the rats won't bother You.
They will stop with that guy ..They know where they are well off..
Also ask about them if You go to sign up for allotment .The local council pest control guy should come out and see to them .It is usually a free service for rats . Jim
Thanks for the replies folks.
I was told after I posted last night that the guy who is vacating the plot has recently killed 35 rats on that plot. I was also told that he hasn't kept the plot very well,infact its supposed to be in a right state. Maybe this answers why he managed to kill the 35 rats. I'm still undecided and hope to go along and have a look for myself. I'm getting the info second hand from a committee member who will talk to my partner but won't say much to me! Frustrating that.
Hi Heldi
I suggest you take a look at the site before you decide whether to take it or not, get a feel for the place.Â
I have 2 sites, one of which I fell in love with straight away. It is heaven on earth, surrounded by other fields, all I can hear when I am out there are lots of birds and the occasional plane flying over. Sometimes I am the only one there and it is bliss!
My new site is just as good, and although it has all been cleared by the local allotment group it still needs a lot work, but I never loose sight of what I want to do with it.
Good Luck
Lily :)
Thanks for your good wishes Lily. Your allotments sound really lovely. I hope I get to enjoy the allotment experiance as much