YOU CAN ALWAYS PLACE A GARBAGE LID FOR A COVER, JUST DRILL A HOLE IN THE CENTER AND PLACE UR CHAIN OR WHATEVER UR HANG WITH THIS WAY THE LID IS ALWAYS CLOSE DOWN TO THE TOP OF THE PVC PIPE , WHEN FILLING JUST LIFT THE COVER AND REFILL, THATS WHAT i DID'
as far as rats I don't have any , feild mice and chimunks I do plut I have chicken wire buried 12" out from the chain link and the chicken wire goes up the fence about a foot or 18" that keeps out most of the little guys plus the bait trap that are around the coop and fence in pen where the chickens can't reach it.