Rats may be small, but their destruction is enormous, especially on poultry farms. They silently invade at night, feeding on eggs, chicks, feed, and even gnawing through important structures.
Their presence not only leads to economic loss but also spreads diseases that can cripple an entire flock.
Gloria Nakijoba, a poultry keeper from Matugga, has felt the impact of these pests.
“Rats have eaten several of my eggs and even attacked some of my young chicks,” she says.
“They come in through holes or under the walls. I used to wonder how my feed and eggs kept reducing,” she adds.
Denis Kimuli, another farmer in Katadde, Wakiso district, shares a similar experience.
“At first, I thought it was theft, until one night, I found a rat dragging an egg through a hole. That’s when I knew I had to act,” he says.
According to Julius Muwanga, a pest control expert and farm hygiene consultant, effective rat control starts with prevention.
“Farmers must seal all entry points with wire mesh or concrete. Rats can squeeze through the tiniest spaces,” he says.
He advises elevating feed containers and storing feed in sealed metallic bins to reduce attraction.
Muwanga also recommends maintaining a clean environment.
“Clear bushes and remove any clutter near the poultry house, these are hiding and breeding grounds,” he explains.
For those facing ongoing infestations, using baited traps in secure boxes is effective.
“Just ensure chickens can’t reach the poison or traps,” he warns.
Other farmers use natural deterrents like peppermint oil or encourage cats around the farmyard.
By combining hygiene, structure-proofing, and controlled trapping, farmers can keep their poultry houses safe from these silent destroyers. With vigilance and good farm practices, rats don’t stand a chance.
