BIG TROUBLE in our LITTLE BARN - VLOG

Homestead Farm Barn Cats Dogs Mini Pigs Rabbits Chickens Ducks Geese Homesteading Canada BIG TROUBLE in our LITTLE BARN - VLOG
SUBSCRIBE and help support the channel. And don't forget to drop a comment. It helps us to build this channel into something special. We're transforming this 90 acre property into a self reliant homestead and farm stay vacation rental. We're building infrastructure to accomodate future growth such as barns, duck house, 7 coop chicken house, water hydrants, planting an orchard, building a garden etc. Chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, barn cats and two old english sheepdogs make up our team here at the farm. Please follow along on our journey of transforming this place into something special.

[@colly1952]

Hello Chad, maybe you should get some toy for your pig. He may be bored. Of course I have no idea if pigs would play with toys. They're pretty intelligent it seems.

[@thewisceeeggg1624]

I too think that he may be bored

[@nokchilton1562]

Love your farm and all animals, particularly cats 😻. There are so much love ❤️ ❤ here!! Watching from England.

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

You are so kind

[@benjaminwilliams3568]

Bud regarding the rats. You can count on a lot more than you can understand. Rats have lots of offspring, those offspring mature very young; and they in turn have their own offspring. Regarding the holes in the ground Your best to fill the ones you see with rat-bated food then using concrete to fill those holes very deep. The rats will focus on eating the poisoned rat food leaving the concrete to dry hard. Fill the holes as deep as you can with concrete mix. Sure the rats will knaw at it. But the concrete will wear their teeth down in the process.

[@jeffbanks9955]

I once saw a cat wait for over an hour staring at the same thing waiting for a mouse it knew went behind there. It got it. Cats can be unbelievably patient when they know something's there.

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Oh for sure I’ve seen it either our cats too especially if they see it go hide.

[@playpad2367]

The intro of this vdo is exciting...loving it!

[@kaceykelly7222]

Good job on the water dish! The traps you are using aren't the most humane as they aren't deep enough for it to kill quickly by breaking neck. Instead they usually smash nose and the rat dies painfully. Or gets eaten alive by others. Try using traditional large rat trap.

[@RJH_LIL]

Morning Chad. Good idea regarding the water bowl issue. That is a huge hole in the pig pen. I'm hoping the rat is not as big. Seeing the piglets scratch against the wall made me chuckle.

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Yeah the piglets are indeed comical especially when they do adult things like scratching or rooting.

[@tea-skyy]

Sounds like voles. A step up from mouse size. Next up from a vole would be a mole.

[@huntakilla1234]

Thanks for the video, Chad. I'm glad you caught those giant rats. Their days of freeloading is over. 👍

[@dawnth531]

Hi Chad, maybe just lay some straw in that corner for the chickens to lay on, since they seem committed to that corner. Love watching your videos and all the animals, plus the change in Seasons.

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Yes they are sooo committed to that corner, I’ve given them lots of straw and they remove it 😂

[@KittyMomma223]

Maybe fasten the crate in the corner so the chicken can't move it and add a couple more at ground level. They seem to like a bowl shaped nest...maybe add a smaller box or big bowl with a little dirt and a bunch of straw. So it's more "bowl like" and if you use the dirt and left over straw as the base for the nests it will smell familiar too.

[@leonafaryna7617]

I’m loving how you used surf music to slide into this download! Nice water bowl fix Chad! Those critters were huge……glad you got them because those holes were soooo big!

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@skrtskit1521]

Could you lock the cats or some of the cats at night in the barn for a few weeks? Hope Bobby behaves with the water bowl. 💕🎶

[@turboredcart]

Thats what I would do. Let teh cats have some fun

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

I had my first two barn cats in the barn and found they can escape thru the soffits in the roof line. It can be closed in but not right now and it’s not really a priority either all the stuff I have going on. If the cats were in there though I’m sure we’d have no rats, but it’s more important to me to protect the cats.

[@lindam2090]

I love that you said protect the cats!!! My hero

[@skrtskit1521]

Agree. I didn't realize there were gaps. @@HiddenSpringFarm

[@lindam2090]

Thank you for the Claw Crew assist. They needed a hand getting those rats and you showed up in your cape!!! Everyone helps at a farm no matters who's job it is. on our small farm our chickens chose a small bush in the run to lay under. You are a great problem solver and you don't freak out you just keep trying the next solution.

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

I love when I call them and they listen to me, they don’t always. Some of those rats are most likely too big for the cats anyway 😂

[@cindyspiess9963]

agree 100%

[@milagunther7073]

You are a good man for all animals ❤️ 🙏 🎉

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Aww thanks 😊

[@McClungMichaell]

Those Tom Cat traps work well I caught over 100 rats in my backyard when I lived in the city. I used peanut bitter and they were Norway Rats. Yours look like Norway Rats as well.

[@dianecooper7502]

What a nice morning video for me. Just love your farm.

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

😀

[@doriskuhberger8559]

I am happy for that you have caught the rodents. That water bowl works wonders. Well done Chad. Thank you for sharing. Love and Blessings to you all. ❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙏 Doris, Penrith 🇦🇺🦘

[@Stopstaring101]

Top ‘o the morning to you Chad and “gang”👋🏼 Good to see your smiling, happy faces 🎉 Chad, I was wondering if you have any involvement w Bobby during these winter days other than to clean his pen or give him fresh water and food ? He’s really bored and lonely 😞! As you know, piggies are social creatures and they are happiest being around other pigs. He’s alone in his pen all day, every day. He HEARS other pigs (mom and babies) but he never SEES them or interacts with them. That would be incredibly frustrating. He dumps his water each day because he’s bored out of his mind!! There’s NOTHING for Bobby to do ALL day or ALL NIGHT. Imagine living that way 😖?? I think in late spring and summertime you let the pigs out to run around all day, which is fantastic! But that doesn’t help them much during the long, boring winters in Canada. I understand why he’s in there w no females, but what abt another male? With very few exceptions you'll see pigs living happily together, either in a pair or in a group of pigs. It's no coincidence that, like people, most pigs are happier and healthier when they have good, stable friendships and time to socialize with their own kind. Would it be possible to help Bobby out by maybe cutting some areas out of the wall that divide the pigs?? Then he can see them and be somewhat interactive with them. I know you’re not keeping the babies but he’ll be able to at least see and quasi interact with the sow. Not ideal, but better than how he’s having to live his life currently. ALSO, you could give him things to do with his time while waiting out the winter and, still cold, early spring. Perhaps offer him 2-3 large rubber balls that kids play with to push around. They will help him to get his pent up energy out! And maybe build a “seesaw” that he can walk up one and go down the other… There’s lots and lots of things you can put in his pen to entertain him during these short dull days and long cold nights!! He doesn’t have the luxury of one heating lamp even! He’s really uninspired to play. Who could blame the poor little fella?? His pen is completely devoid of ANY type of stimulation for him 😞 For such a happy farm… And how well you take care of all of wonderful your animals… I think Bobby’s pen has been neglected a little bit. I watched a video recently that you had put up of Bobby when he was a baby… And he was the happiest little thing I ever saw ! It’d be great to see him happy like that again ♥️🐖♥️🐖♥️ He can’t do it w/o you’re gracious help though Chad 🙏🏼

[@leecarlson9713]

What great ideas!

[@Stopstaring101]

@@leecarlson9713 Thank YOU 🥰 I appreciate your compliment 👍🏼

[@pairadice30]

I have been thinking the same thing. Poor Bobby:(

[@claudiarusso6702]

Hi Chad, your piglets are so cute when they scurry away quickly when they see you like my cats when the vacuum cleaner comes out!!!😂👏👏👏😹🤣. Love ❤your animals and vlog always! Not so much the rats!🙀

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Yeah they’re so funny and the timing of their little oinks as they run away with each step is the cutest.

[@elbeachu2]

Thks for sharing.. I think i like this kind of Life for myself. Plus all the wild life and animals are comforting( dogs cats too). 😊 excluding 🐀😂

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

It’s an awesome adventure that’s for sure 😊

[@mariephenix7168]

I really enjoy your videos, funny, lousy of activities, explaination, love it love it

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Right on 👍

[@stevepalmer8285]

Hi chad and crew. I really enjoy your content. And cant thank you enough. Take care and sending positive vibes from the uk.

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Thanks so much

[@gardengirl7258]

The piggies were twerking🤣

[@paulhall1239]

Good morning Chad thank you for another great video ❤

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

The saga continues 😆

[@watchersmith806]

If I could, I would love to adopt Little Spotty the baby mini-pig. That scratching was too much 🥰 Then I sat down to eat dinner just when you showed the big rats you caught 🤢. Still love your channel 😁💗

[@bashairH]

Yay first 🥰 love your channel chad! 🤍

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

👏👏👏

[@ZippedUpKitz]

🏅

[@laurelb1962]

I use those exact mouse traps, but for mice, not rats, and they work GREAT. FYI, when you put the peanut butter on the trap flapper, smear it on the under side of the flapper, that way, when they go to try and bite it off, WAMMO, thier caught. It was sorta trial and error when we first started using that type. Those piggies are the sweetest things ever, i just love, baby piglets. 🐽 It also, looks like, that your water holder worked real well. 👍

[@marykoritheasmith2411]

Great idea re: water dish device. Animals are funny, set in their ways. I have 2 cats, strong and brave, except with mice. Had one, cats didn't want to go into the kitchen. So, for home use, ultra sonic plug in, mouse repellent packs, and gone. Cats actually relieved. Oh well. Traps for barn work for you. What about compounding your quest for success by adding natural rodent repellent spray. Just a thought. Great video 👍

[@kathpengilley3925]

i used to work in the food industry and we were told for every rat you see there will be another ten hiding ! I dont know how true that would be in Canada.

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Most likely accurate considering all the smaller sized rat kids I’ve seen.

[@marilynmaker5942]

Hope the water bowl and the traps continue to work 🥰

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

🤞

[@T_with_Headphones]

I take a 5 gallon bucket and put a handful of corn in the bottom and set it next to a wall or stud that mice can climb. They climb and jump into the bucket and can't get out. Then I take them far away and let them go. But if I don't get to it quickly and more than one gets in there one will eat whichever one dies first.

[@cindyspiess9963]

😬

[@peggyhaines7394]

Maybe try to put a little ladder/ramp for the chickens. 🐓 God bless you and your beautiful wife and family. 🙋🏻‍♀️♥️🇺🇸

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

But the chickens have no problem getting to the roosts which are higher than the nests, it’s gotta have something to do with nesting specifically. Plus the other breeds laying the nests. We’ll figure it out but by bit.

[@peggyhaines7394]

@@HiddenSpringFarm I have 52 chickens and I have had different issues with them. I ordered and bought a brand new coop and the crazy older chickens would not lay eggs in the new coop. Had to finally after 4- days of being locked in the new one had to open the old coop. My younger chickens didn’t have any problems with the new coop. The old coop had a ladder and the new one didn’t so we made one. The dumb chickens were still laying in the old coop. But the new chickens were able to reach the boxes and the roost. I don’t know what goes on in there heads. Lol. Finally they started to use the New coop. Being a good Chicken tender is hard work sometimes. Just an idea. Maybe secure your nesting box to the wall so they can’t turn it over. Even if it means squaring it up God bless you. Hope you figure it out. 🙋🏻‍♀️♥️🇺🇸 Ps. They fly up to the roost maybe they are afraid to fly in the boxes.

[@lindam2090]

Is it a problem to let the chickens lay in the corner? Or just a wish they wouldnt?

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

@@lindam2090 yup, not a problem at all it just saves me from going in there.

[@jandcschwartz]

Yeah, saw that coming. Need to secure the nest box.

[@kayvelazquez4618]

You are very smart chad❤❤❤❤

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Aww thnx ☺️

[@kathrinekerns8398]

I think those are what we call wood rats. They get huge. I don't know the solution. If you can plug the hole with some steel wool, or heavy gage wire, they won't chew through either one. Some people use a spray foam, I have had success with steel wool.

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Could be. I bet even if the cats were here they couldn’t get the big ones.

[@kathrinekerns8398]

@@HiddenSpringFarm One time I had a opossum get in my garage. They are bigger than the rats, and have sharp teeth. But, I think rats are worse than a opossum.

[@KittyMomma223]

Think you need more than 2 traps to "ir-rat-acate" them (I saw what you did there!). Maybe fasten the traps down some how?

[@turboredcart]

Old McChad-old had a farm- E I EI O

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

😂

[@siarha70]

have you thought about setting up a P.o. box for people to send items for the animals? I’m not sure if that costs money, anyone know?

[@AlexK26496]

That's a great idea !!! 💡 😊

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

It does cost but something I should look into, a lot of people ask me. It can’t be that much either, I’ll be sure to let everyone know…maybe I’ll set it up this spring 😉

[@AlexK26496]

@HiddenSpringFarm Yes let us know how much to set up, I would help 😊

[@hazelsmith2]

Great video. 😊

[@257melomaniacs]

I had to look away from the dead rats😣 used to have 'em as pets. Ofcourse pet rats come from lab rats, so wild rats is a whole other thing. Could it be, that the nestingboxes are too small for the BRF? I know nothing about chickens, but it looks like a tight fit 😆

[@OR6600]

I spoke to soon lol that should work

[@doinacampean9132]

Have you considered pouring some gravel+cement in those holes?

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

I’ll see how things are in spring, once it’s above freezing temps, but yeah it’s something I could do.

[@MrSpinnerbug]

I think possibly your nesting boxes could be too high off the floor they like laying in the corner but the others look to be at least 2 feet or 2 1/2 feet above the floor which is really too high

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

May be so, although the other breeds use the nests for the most part and they’re all the same height. If this is an ongoing issue I’d have to seriously modify the whole chicken house.

[@thewisceeeggg1624]

My thought is yes, for these chickens in particular, it's the height. My chickens fly higher to roost than to nest.

[@sylviahudell2171]

Hello! Another great day on the farm. Your ducks need to lay eggs to earn their keep Lol. Thats good you have been catching rats, they sure are gross 🤢. Thanks for another interesting video.👍😀

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

You got that right! Those rats are big & nasty

[@OR6600]

I’d make a small concrete slab around a bowl that can be taken out easily

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

I’ll see if I can make something using concrete in the spring, I should have done it in the fall but got so busy.

[@Tamingthecoldnorth]

Just stumbled onto your channel. Enjoying it very much. Kamusta to you both. I'm a pinoy that use to live in Hamilton. We took advantage of owning 400 acres in Quebec and am looking forward to having animals on the farm. Your channel is very informative to us as we have no experience whatsoever in farming lol. This is a big leap for us and looking forward to all the challenges. Keep up the good work!!

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Yes kumusta. Sooo much to learn and my best advice is don’t ever be scared of making mistakes. KZbin is actually a really big help as I’ve learned so much too. 400 acres is a dream, best of luck.

[@user-yo6vs5ol5b]

Ok second time playing turned out better.😊

[@ZippedUpKitz]

Good morning Chad! Wow! I never realized how big of a boy Fozy really is! Bobby might "eat" the wood frame around the water bowls…. If he does eat or chew up the wood, you Might try some rebar rods…. Weld them together and then connect it to the wall like you did… Holy smokes! You got yourself some big rats… I was betting on them being rats, but not that big! Wow! If you can get some heat into your ducky bunky, I bet they will start laying again… they probably need some more protein in their diet as well… give them the rat head ….. lol (I’m kidding)

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

I’d need to get a welder then teach myself how to weld first 😂

[@ZippedUpKitz]

@@HiddenSpringFarm if you can solder, you can weld lol… 😝 they aren't much different but one will blind you if you don’t wear protective gear…

[@DavidD03820]

hmm, those big holes done by mice/rats/voles/moles in the floor, myself personally I would fill with wet cement so it flows easily and then find where they dig next. But I don't have much experience with this other then setting old school rat traps. It might turn into a problem with the structural integrity of the barn/pig pen but I can't gauge how bad it could be. might want to do this in warmer weather so it can set properly.

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

That’s exactly what I’ll do, spring should be here soon I’ll get all the bedding out of there and fill in all the holes…see what happens 😉

[@kiddobee3610]

Guess Bobby is too slow to catch the rats, lol

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Haha he just stares at them 😂

[@ZippedUpKitz]

To add to what another said, you got rats, you gonna have snakes next!!! So, best to get those rats, which are REALLLLLLY BIG, Mind you, under control now… they know they are safe over in that old barn because your claw crew is in the other building,,,, they are really big rats! I'm betting you got yourself some Norway Rats…. They get really big like that….

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Exactly!!!

[@user-st8hz1tu9u]

Put less peanut butter on the trap, so the rodent has to go further in that way you get more of the rodent in the trap.

[@lolasimmons9152]

Hi Chad, I have a question for you. Do you take the dogs home at night with you or do they stay on the farm?

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

The dogs are really just companion dogs not true lgd so they come home with me everyday, they have their own beds in the house…which they only use when they have short hair, when they have long hair they like the cold tiles or they go to the basement.

[@79PoisonBreaker]

maby boby is on to something, could you flood the rats out under him? are you able to dump his water for fresh water with it like that?

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

I’ve dumped maybe 30 buckets of water into those holes and it didn’t do anything. Maybe their tunnels are very intricate.

[@79PoisonBreaker]

If rats are in the barn is it possible they are eating duck eggs too?

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Highly doubtful cause there’s no way for them to get in. Plus no evidence of any poop or leftover shells etc.

[@juvyjanededios97]

Can I ask what breed are your white chickens? My father has been taking care of Rhodes island chickens for more than a year now and I was thinking of surprising him with a different kind breed of chicken ☺️

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Light Sussex

[@juvyjanededios97]

@@HiddenSpringFarm thank you so much! 😁

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

@@juvyjanededios97 I have a niece named Juvy back in the Philippines, Pilipino ka?

[@juvyjanededios97]

@@HiddenSpringFarm oh what coincidence! Pilipino po ako

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

@@juvyjanededios97 married almost 30 years I’ve been back home more than 20 times. My wife’s from Calamba, Laguna. Lots of beautiful hot springs there. Salamat eh.

[@turboredcart]

If rats come now- look out for snakes later

[@ZippedUpKitz]

Took the words right out of my mouth!!!!

[@bevfrench3496]

weasels....you see any around? or rats. Deer mice are bigger than the average mouse. Must be mice because weasels and rats will kill your chickens. uuum no dead chickens ..might be a muskrat? or just really polite rats.

[@pairadice30]

They have humane rodent traps. Please invest in those. :(

[@lorineidtinytoadplot744]

Rats breed like crazy

[@user-yo6vs5ol5b]

Can't see most of what you're talking about.

[@Wicked_urban_garden]

Rats will eat their dead brother. So they probably ate one right out of the trap.

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

That’s exactly what happened, they’re cannibals..,so gross.

[@bobmanp8653]

if you see a rat your infested