Can chickens attract rats?

[CinnamonQueen]

My family thinks that our chickens are attracting rats. We've caught three rats in the attic. Has anyone ever had problems with rats and the chickens were to blame?

 

[hdmax]

I don't think it is the chickens, but the feed will for sure.

 

[bobbi-j]

How close to your house is your coop? Chickens themselves don't attract rats, but where there is feed, there will be vermin. It would help to keep the feed in a covered metal garbage can (mice and rats will chew through the plastic ones) and empty the feeders into that garbage can at night. I don't know why they'd be in your house, though, if your coop is any distance away. I think I'd try to figure out where they're getting in and plug that hole!

 

[CinnamonQueen]

My coop is pretty close (less than 10 ft.) to the house. Maybe its the treats/leftovers that they don't eat that attracts the vermin. I will try to be more proactive with taking out uneaten food.

 

[CinnamonQueen]

We think that the "rats" are actually just very big field mice. Since Saturday we have caught another two mice.