2nd go-around with chickens

[ruffrage1]

Hello,
Picked up 6 chicks this AM from TSC in Greenville, SC. 2 Isa Browns, 2 Concord Blacks, and 2 Salmon Faverolles. They are in a brooder now in the house and will move them to the chicken tractor when they are ready. But I have a concern. There are rats in the neighborhood and in my yard, and also fleas. I treated the yard with Malathion and have set out traps and poison for the rats. Will moving the chickens outside only attract more rats to the feed? And what about the girls free ranging where Malathion has been sprayed? It's good to have chickens back in our lives!
Scott

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to Backyardchickens.com aka BYC!
We are so glad you joined our flock.

Jump right in and make yourself at home.
I wouldn't let then free range for a long time, where you had poison.
If you pick their feed up each night hopefully the rats will leave, but seeing you already have a rat problem, before the chickens, you may have to try other methods of getting rid of them.

This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC Make sure you use 1/2 hardware cloth around your tractor and maybe reinforce it with 1/4". Problem with 1/4 by itself is they can chew through it, and small ones can get through 1/2". Kiki has given you good advice. Again welcome.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hello and welcome to BYC - thanks for joining us and congrats on your new littles.

Here’s a link to the Articles section - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/ There you’ll find lots of information on almost every aspect of keeping chickens - from coop building ideas, to incubating eggs.

There’s a link on the page above to the Learning Centre - it’s a great resource. If you have a specific topic in mind, just type it in the search box - there's a wealth of information on past and present threads.

Each week, various topics are discussed, which can also be a great resource - https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive

You may wish to consider joining your state thread as it will put you in touch with other BYC members in your area - http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/270925/find-your-states-thread#post_3239224

All the best

Pork Pie

 

[drumstick diva]

Maybe you can borrow someone's Jack Russell Terriers - goodby rats. The dogs love to work, and no poisons

 

[blackdust951]

hello and welcome to backyard chickens!thank you for joining us