How To Keep Rats Out Of Chicken Coop

Although I’m a gardener, I’ve spent quite a few days on a farm, thanks to my friend Linda. 

If it weren’t for the pandemic, I would have visited her this year, but the best she and I can do now is talk over the phone. Though it’s still great learning about how she’s managing the animals, it’s not the same as helping out in person. 

That’s why when my neighbor was having problems keeping his chickens safe, I jumped at the opportunity to help him. He was troubled because of rat infestation, leading to health issues with the birds. Rats aren’t the most hygienic animals, and while they have their advantages, it’s certainly not around a chicken coop. 

I remember Linda facing a similar problem previously, so I called her to ask for help. She knew exactly what to do and narrated the steps, which I noted down. I asked my neighbor to try all the methods, and very soon, he landed on one that worked like a charm. 

How To Keep Rats Out Of Chicken Coop?

Steps To Follow

Here I’ve narrowed down the essential steps that you can follow. I would recommend that you note them down to tackle the problem systematically. Without further ado, let’s begin. 

1. Build Barriers

You can start by building barriers, keeping the chickens out of the reach of pests. Now, this doesn’t mean making a new construction; after all, something as simple as repairing doors and floors offers sufficient protection. It prevents the rats from crawling through holes or cracks. 

Speaking of tiny openings, you need to search for possible gaps in the chicken coop and make the necessary reinforcements. I suggest using sheet metal or ¼-inch mesh hardware cloth to line the corners where the walls and floors meet. But make sure to add the metal lining from outside, ensuring that the rats can’t chew their way in. 

2. Setting Colony Traps

As the name suggests, this type of rat trap snares more than one rodent at a time, making it a deadly and cost-effective solution. The metal boxes have a small opening at either end for the rats to enter. This is a one-way door, allowing them to come in but offering no escape. 

You can place the traps against the wall after finding the route taken by the rats. There’s no need for keeping bait, making it low-maintenance while the traps remain active 24x7. The only time you need to reset them is while removing the trapped rodents.  

If you wish to remove rodents without killing them, colony traps offer the most efficient solution. 

3. Storing Chicken Feed

Have you ever thought about why chicken coops attract rats? One reason might be leaving the chicken feed exposed. Rats will not say no to an easy dinner, so like Linda, you can keep the feed in a metal container. You’ll easily find industrial drums in the market, properly cleaned and ideal for keeping rodents out. 

Other than drums, metal trash cans also provide a suitable alternative. Just make sure that all containers close tightly, preventing the rats from crawling in. Furthermore, remove the chickens’ drinking water as rodents look for something to drink if it’s hot; you can replace the water in the morning. 

4. Using Snap Traps

Like colony traps, users can try snap traps, which are equally effective and low-maintenance. Rats are creatures of habit and usually scurry along the walls to the food source. So, you can place the boxes along the walls and when the rats get used to this new object, arm them with traps. 

You may or may not use baits but try to position large boxes near the coop. A single trap can catch a couple of rodents, and once the rats enter through the small hole, they won’t be able to leave. 

5. Applying Rodenticides

This is a highly effective solution but use it only when you’ve exhausted the four ways mentioned above with no foreseeable results. If you choose to use poison, place the necessary amount in a container box, ensuring that it doesn’t get mixed with the chicken feed. Also, secure the boxes tightly, preventing non-target animals from falling victims. 

You’ll also find poison pellets in the market, but Linda preferred boxes. She said that the rats might remove the pellets, eat them, and leave the remainder in some corner, proving dangerous. Instead, you can tie the boxes to any strategic spot, making it difficult for the rats to run away with it. 

Furthermore, it would help if you didn’t use the same poison multiple times. If the rats develop immunity to one type of poison, it’s important to buy a new one. 

6. Cleaning The Coop

Now, irrespective of how much you try, none of these methods will work unless you keep the coop clean. So, cut the grass around the coop and dispose of the trash responsibly. I’ve noticed that scraps of deadwood and lumber piles provide the perfect place for rats to move about. Whatever you do, don’t pile garbage and tightly secure food items for future use. 

7. Calling Professional Help

If the problem gets out of hand, contact a professional pest control service to handle the issue. You can ask for a quote and request regular maintenance, ensuring that the rats don’t return.

Final Words