Micronised Linseed - Rats and Mice

[HBB]

I am having so much problems with rats and mice being attracted to the undigested linseeds in my horses dung that I am going to have to stop feeding it over winter to break the feed supply. I have fed micronised linseed for years but now looking at a couple of oil alternatives, does any one feed the following oils and do you see similar benefits especially coat condition?

Omega Ultra Oil & KM Elite Ultimate Oil.

Thanks for reading

 

[9tails]

The good news is that as soon as you stop feeding micronised linseed, your droppings will be left alone immediately. I couldn't bear mucking out poo dust because the rats had thoroughly raked through them. Horse also didn't appreciate her extra overnight visitors. TBH I feed a good balancer and didn't see any difference in coat, hooves, general demeanour once the ML was removed.

 

[HBB]

@9tails Thank you. This is the first time I have had this problem, the mess they are making is terrible and I want to stop it immediately before I’m overrun with them.

 

[Surbie]

I had to stop feeding it too, I couldn't cope with the poo shrapnel every morning! Same as 9Tails, I didn't see any difference in my horse, though I know he loved the stuff. I don't feed oil, just vitamins and minerals though there is trace linseed in that.

 

[dorsetladette]

Could you try linseed lozenges instead?

 

[HBB]

@Surbie This is exactly what I needed to hear from you both, thank you.

@dorsetladette Thank you, I’m not keen as all the oil has been extracted from them and what’s left is mixed with molasses to bind it.

 

[rhino]

My current youngster is the first one I’ve had who didn’t do terribly well on micronized linseed. He has the KM Elite ultimate oil and it has made a huge difference to his coat. I only feed it for ‘bloom’ not condition though.

 

[HBB]

My current youngster is the first one I’ve had who didn’t do terribly well on micronized linseed. He has the KM Elite ultimate oil and it has made a huge difference to his coat. I only feed it for ‘bloom’ not condition though.

That is much appreciated.
I would be feeding it for the same reasons as you so it’s good to hear your opinion, thank you.

 

[Nudibranch]

Copra is a good substitute for linseed although not all can tolerate it.

 

[HBB]

@Nudibranch Thank you. I really rate Copra but gave up feeding it when I saw the unhygienic way it is harvested and dried, there is also the high risk of coconut shell in the feed as their pulverising plates aren't always thorough enough at crushing them.

 

[ElvisandTilly]

@9tails Thank you. This is the first time I have had this problem, the mess they are making is terrible and I want to stop it immediately before I’m overrun with them.

I’m having the same problem. I did wonder what was doing the scattering of the horse poo and thought it was my visiting pheasant! I’ve seen so many rats in the last few weeks I’ve arranged for a terrier man to come! It must be the rats in the horse poo as just started feeding micronised linseed over the past 3 weeks.

 

[Squeak]

I've always thought it was the birds but now wondering how I'll know which it is

 

[LEC]

I use Mole Valley (£22), NAF cheap one (£24) or Pureflax (£26) all in 5l.

Never had a problem with rats and mice but will certainly stick with oil going forward!

If you need the calories linseed excels beyond anything else. The next closest I found was Baileys Outshine but it’s ££££

 

[9tails]

I've always thought it was the birds but now wondering how I'll know which it is

Birds will scatter the field poos but it's generally rats in the stable.

 

[HBB]

@9tails You were absolutely right, all poo has been left untouched after 2 days of not feeding micronised linseed, I am so pleased. I am still seeing the odd rat on the stable camera but hopefully they will go elsewhere once the realise there is no food available for them.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions, I have started using the KM Elite Ultimate Oil as I liked the blend of linseed, coconut, rice bran, sea buckthorn & wheatgerm oils.

 

[Sugar Plum]

I use micronised linseed meal and have never had a problem with rats or mice, with his poos as they should be in the morning. Wondering if there is another cause? Or is the stable cat too good at his job at my yard?

 

[LittleOwl]

A cautionary tale (or tail…) from this week

We swapped from micronised linseed to linseed oil last weekend after reading this thread as we’ve got a rat problem. Well within 2 days the rats have chewed holes in 3x 5L bottles and left an oily mess all over our feed room! We think maybe some oil dripped down the side of the container and attracted them to what was inside. We clearly need a more efficient cat!!

 

[Pinkvboots]

A cautionary tale (or tail…) from this week

We swapped from micronised linseed to linseed oil last weekend after reading this thread as we’ve got a rat problem. Well within 2 days the rats have chewed holes in 3x 5L bottles and left an oily mess all over our feed room! We think maybe some oil dripped down the side of the container and attracted them to what was inside. We clearly need a more efficient cat!!

Omg I have never heard of that.

All I hear from everyone is that they have a rat problem I think the whole country has a problem tbh

 

[Squeak]

A cautionary tale (or tail…) from this week

We swapped from micronised linseed to linseed oil last weekend after reading this thread as we’ve got a rat problem. Well within 2 days the rats have chewed holes in 3x 5L bottles and left an oily mess all over our feed room! We think maybe some oil dripped down the side of the container and attracted them to what was inside. We clearly need a more efficient cat!!

I would never have thought of rats going through a container for oil! Thanks for the warning, thiink I'll stick to the micronised stuff now!

 

[HBB]

@LittleOwl They are determined little horrors!!
Thankfully all my feed is in metal containers and all poop in the stables have been left untouched but it wouldn’t surprise me if Pinky and the Brain are hatching their next plan to take over the world

 

[ElvisandTilly]

Thanks for the warning! I was looking to swap to the oil but think I’ll look at the linseed cake.

I have tried the snap traps but they’ve got wise to them. Had a visit from a pest control company who I’m still waiting to come back after assessing. So instead of waiting I bit the bullet and purchased a goodnature A24 rat trap that resets itself and going to set it all up tomorrow. Fingers crossed!