I use 3" PVC about 30" long.

Probably 40 years ago a close neighbor had a horse barn and I assume that is where the rats came from.
My was looking out the window at the bird feeder and saw a couple rats approach the bird feeder and climb up to the seeds. She
asked me to get rid of them. It was a mild winter, which was unusual back in the day. I had trapped rats for a local doctor at his home so figured it would be a slam dunk.
It was not but it was a learning experience.

I caught a couple in baited sets and shot a couple. Then I set a few blind sets. The rats would leave the trails to avoid the traps. I was a bit surprised but had heard from some old timers that they could learn quick.
We had a hard rain that took away most of the snow. I had a handful of #0's jump traps I had purchased on the advise of an old mink trapper, who told me they were handy in some spots.
My pride was circling around the drain as my rat catching ability was not impressive.

I got down to business, maybe over kill looking back, and boiled the traps in logwood dye.
Using clean gloves and my fox equipment I set blind sets in the trails I could pick out.
Caught 13 rats in a week or so and shot a few more. I am not that great of rifle shot but bird shot in the old 12 gauge worked well. LOL

That was one of my rat trapping experiences, for what it is worth.

Mac

Double trap weasel box. Big pan rat traps. Drill a 3/4 hole under pan for bait if not using weasel box. Bait between 2 traps if using weasel box. Tie off traps if not using weasel box.

WOW !
We just ditched DirecTV and got some relayed programming through an antenna. Costs (a donation) of $40 a year, 20 some channels.
One of them has Rat Patrol and Combat ! I loved those when I was younger.
Was wondering if any of you recognized them.
OK, back to the vermin,

Yup, Rat Patrol and Combat were favorites!

Scored one tonight shot at it then it ran into a 110 not sure if i even hit it but it spooked enough to scramble it to slip up. I'll try for another one when I get a chance later tonight. cha-ching

Get ya a 30 gallon drum, fill half full of water. Float a couple inch’s of oats in it and lay a ramp up to it. Smear some peanut butter around the rim and on the ramp. Scoop your rats out tomorrow

Rats are easy to trap BUT this might not work in a chicken coop . I caught tons of them growing up in our barns and all the neighbors around us . Number 0 or number 1 coil or long springs set it next to the wall or in front of their hole Put a small rag over it .This will settle the argument over the jaws or thru them on which way to turn the trap lol! When I was 12 had a rat trap line I ran before school . Up at 5 am riding my huffy bike to 3 neighbors before the bus came
If you set them after the chicken roost it might be ok Think that’s how I learned to be successful in blind mink sets . After a bit you will know exactly where to put a trap !

Yes I’ve been setting the risky traps after roost time to avoid issues not much those birds won’t leave alone they get into everything and move the stuff around. LOL I’ll feed them by hand outside to keep the rats searching for food in the coop then I will move to a elevated feeder that’s off the ground next.

If you remember the show "Rat Patrol", you're a old fart! Like me. I watched the show when I was younger. Much younger!

Ya need to hold a good ole Jerry Clower rat killin day!

I used to trap rats at a local grain elevator. Lots of food around so baiting didn't work.

We set traps along the walls or in travel lanes. Had to move the traps often, after catching one or two rats the rest would avoid the area.
Set out about a dozen traps, might catch 3-4 rats/day usually.

This had to be in the late '70's, got paid .25/rat from the elevator.

Putting in some jump traps tonight I can hide them in the wood flakes just trying different things and enjoying the challenge just lot getting a lot of good sleep.