I saw a rat in the coop today...

[Miss Lydia]

I too have found the 'Secret of Nimh' in my coop recently

Got one big pregnant bat rastard with the pellet gun with my very first shot...then nothing since...they're on to me

LOL I've hung up the feeders to try and deter them but then I realized that they're getting their fill off of the wheat straw that I'm using for bedding (still some wheat heads in there~GREAT fun for the chickens, apparently for the bat rastards too) Would this bucket trap be considered "chicken proof"? Because I was thinking a little antifreeze in the water to keep it in a liquid state might work

but maybe that's not a good idea afterall and I'll have to just wait to use this trap til it's not freezing every night.
Here's a picture of the first and, so far, only kill...along side my size 11 boot for comparison

Thats a pretty big rat, my dh wants to try and get it with his 22 but they weather isn't cooperating, so we'll have to think of something else. Your rat looks like the one we caught on camera.

 

[Chesca]

are rats attracted to chicken coops for some reason? I'm preparing for raccoons and opossums, but didn't think about rats. do they harm chickens?

 

[Miss Lydia]

are rats attracted to chicken coops for some reason? I'm preparing for raccoons and opossums, but didn't think about rats. do they harm chickens?

I know they will kill and eat chicks and ducklings and knaw on the bums of chickens if given the chance. eggs too I think.

 

[Williamrocket]

I am the same, can't kill a thing !
I have a rats nest right next to my coop, every noght when I give the chickens their supper I put some food out in the rats own area. He (or she) is timid, but does come out and look up at me sometimes. Absolutely gorgeous, a lovely caramel colour with big alert ears.
Sometimes the rat comes and helps himself to the biscuits I put out for my 6 pet rabbits, just like the chickens, they don't seem to mind him too much.
A while ago some person felt the need to dump a beautiful rooster up on the road that follows the ridge just near where I live. He is a creamy silky looking cockeral, walks proud and tall the dumper must of had a real strong reason for dumping him. Anyway, I built a little house for him up there and I take him some food everyday.
My chickens are ex "free range" "farm" girls, when I got them they were nearly naked, those "free range" words mean different things from how I think. I put electric blankets in the coops, on timers, because its winter here in New Zealand and my place is 350 metres above sea level so it gets quite cold, no snow so far though. Their feathers have pretty much grown back now and they are looking like they should, plump and shiny. They will live their lives here with me, as pets, paying me for their board and food with big fat eggs every day.
If I bring that dumped rooster home I will have too many chickens very soon and as I wouldn't have the heart to kill them, I better just keep feeding that rooster and leave him where he is.