Rats vs rabbits, chickens, and quail

With a backyard setup that includes ducks, chickens, rabbits, and quail, Richard and his partner breed animals a few times a year. But rats were becoming more than a nuisance, they were a real threat.

“We were going through a 10kg bucket of poison bait every six weeks,” Richard says. “Rats were taking ducklings, skinning quails, and attacking baby rabbits. We had to do something.”

The turning point came after a conversation at the local Elders produce store in Yea. Someone mentioned Goodnature’s self-resetting traps. Richard was intrigued and ordered two Smart Trap Kits in March 2024.

Strategic placement, standout results

The two traps, now fondly known as Rat F* 1 and Rat F* 2, were installed in the most active rat zones on the property. One sits beside the chicken coop and the other behind the rabbit hutches by a retaining wall.

“We placed both right near visible burrows. One trap’s now logged 115 kills, the other 315. It’s been wild,” says Richard.

They’ve since added two Starter Traps, one inside the duck enclosure and one under the garage. But the results from the original traps continue to impress.

“We didn’t expect this many kills. One of them got nine in a single update.”

The results haven’t just shown up in the app: the amount of animal feed being consumed has dropped significantly, and no injuries to quail or other birds have been recorded since the traps went in.

Enter the kookaburra

Richard recalls one particularly memorable moment.

“I saw a kookaburra sitting on the chicken coop roof, watching the trap below. Then he swooped down and flew off with a big dead rat in his beak.”

It became a regular sighting. “He hung around for weeks,” Richard says. “The buffet must’ve been good.”

They’ve since set up a trail camera and are hoping to capture the scavenging in action, though their dogs are just as quick to snap up what the trap catches.

Trapping in Australia: Non-target awareness

As with any trapping in Australia, non-target species are always a consideration.

“We didn’t take specific precautions with trap height or placement, but we do think about what might be in the area, especially with a creek nearby,” Richard says.

Native species like rakali (native water rats) could be present, and Richard’s aware of the risk: “So far, we’ve had no issues, but it’s something we’d monitor.”

From bait to better

Switching from poison to toxin-free trapping has made a real impact on Richard’s property.

“Not just in terms of kills, but safety. We were getting more and more uncomfortable with the idea of secondary poisoning. We’ve got dogs, and we didn’t want to risk harming local birds either.”

The traps have proven long-lasting and efficient. “We’ve had gas canisters go well beyond 24 kills. The lure works great. And the traps just keep going.”

His advice to others with similar problems?

“If you’re dealing with rats, especially around poultry, Goodnature traps are worth trying. Just don’t be surprised if you attract a few feathered helpers while you’re at it.”

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