rats! help

chickens123432 · Oct 25, 2015

This morining when i went out to feed and water my chickens i noticed one of my smaller breeds (silver lakenvelder) was all beat up. She only had 1 tail feather and alot of her body feathers were pulled out. I thought the pecking order had changed but then I saw a rat stuck in the chicken wire and it was chewed up, it looked like it was trying to get out. is there anything i need to do to treat the chickens for anything and how do i get rid of the rats???

Free Spirit · Oct 25, 2015

Rats/mice will get into the coop when they can get into the feed (or any nearby food source). Make sure that you don't have feed around where they can get to it. One way to do that is to use hanging feeders and store feed away from the coop or in containers with tight fitting lids that they cannot chew through.

As far as the injury's, can you post a picture to show how bad the damage is? If she has minor cuts you might be able to apply Vetericyn wound and skin care spray.

but if she has severe cuts and/or scratches then you may have no choice but to put her down. Personally if I knew the injuries where caused from the rat I would put her down. Not a pleasant thought but it may be necessary as, of course, rats and mice carry diseases that could likely cause the bird to die anyway if infection can get into her bloodstream.

If it's just feather loss then you "might" be ok depending on the severity, but the trauma will likely cause her not to lay for a while.

rats! help

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chickens123432

In the Brooder

Free Spirit

The Chiarian

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