Rats are rodents that can be very harmful to your chickens. They are definitely not welcome in your chicken coop. Diseases caused by bacteria are usually transmitted by this type of rodent.
Rats can prey on your chicks, eat chicken feed, and steal or eat eggs from chicken coops. Sometimes, if the number of rats increases too much, they can create serious problems for your hens. Even they can harm adult chickens in a chicken coop.
Keep rats away from the chicken coop
Keeping rats out of the coop is very important if you want to have healthy, productive chickens and provide them with a safe environment.
Learn how to keep rats away from your chicken coop. Here we describe some common methods of protection against chicken coop rats.
Cooperative design
A suitable, well-designed and planned chicken coop plays an important role in keeping rats away from the chicken coop. A well-designed chicken coop will not only help protect you from rats, but other predators as well.
You can build your chicken coops with strong walls and doors to keep rodents out. Naturally, rats will try to gnaw through wood and may also try to crawl through concrete and soft metal.
Thus, you should regularly check and maintain the structure of the cooperative. If you notice any damaged sections on the walls, floor or doors of your chicken coop, replace or repair them as soon as possible.
You can also try making chicken coops a bit higher off the ground. Because this system will not allow rats to hide under the coop or try to find their way from below. 2 to 3 feet is sufficient height from the ground.
Outdoor running
You must fence off all enclosures so that the rats are protected. If your coops have windows through which the chickens can exit, then fence them off properly.
Wire fences with small holes or wire mesh are essential to keep rats out of your coops.
Never leave openings in fences larger than a quarter inch. The enclosure roofs must also be completely covered. Because rats are great climbers.
eliminate temptation
Never leave chick feed, feeders or water containers out overnight. Because those kinds of easily accessible food and water sources will attract them. Always store all food in rodent-proof containers.
Regularly clean the bushes near the chicken coop to prevent rats from building nests around or near the chicken coop. Try to find other sources of food and water that may attract rats.
For example, bird feeders, leftover pet food, rainwater puddles, various types of tin cans, etc. Remove all of this from your garden.
Use of poison
You can use poison to kill rats. But be very careful when using poison. Because your chickens can also be poisoned. Use the poison at night, mixed with enticing food, and remove it very early in the morning before releasing the chickens from the coop.
Ready-to-use rat poisons are also available on the market. Use poison only when you confirm the presence of rats near your chicken coop or yard. You can also contact a licensed exterminator to investigate the problem and determine a safe solution.
There are also different types of rat killing machines. You can also eliminate rats with these machines.
Removing rats from a chicken coop is very easy. If you are facing any issues caused by rats then apply the above mentioned methods and remove them permanently.
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