Introduction

[Dianna in PA]

Hi, I have had chickens for several years, mainly buckeyes and partridge plymouth rocks. I am down to 8 hens/1rooster. Six weeks ago I got 2 buff orpington roosters and 13 hens. My big concern is how to transition the chicks outside, which is complicated by a rat infestation. We paid an exterminator to do 4 weekly treatments but it has rained or snowed the first 2 weeks making the powder less effective or ineffective. We’ve seen 2 dead rats so far but there are many more still alive. We are praying for success as we can only keep them indoors another 2 weeks.

 

[Tookie]

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, Welcome to Backyard Chickens. Enjoy your time here!

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

Hi, I have had chickens for several years, mainly buckeyes and partridge plymouth rocks. I am down to 8 hens/1rooster. Six weeks ago I got 2 buff orpington roosters and 13 hens. My big concern is how to transition the chicks outside, which is complicated by a rat infestation. We paid an exterminator to do 4 weekly treatments but it has rained or snowed the first 2 weeks making the powder less effective or ineffective. We’ve seen 2 dead rats so far but there are many more still alive. We are praying for success as we can only keep them indoors another 2 weeks.

Are you able to keep them in a run/coop whilst waiting for the treatment to take effect? Make sure the bottom 30-50cm is wire with smaller holes (6mm, 13mm or 25mm) and then put wood around the bottom so they can't dig under it.

Hello and welcome to BYC! There isn't a better place for learning how to raise your poultry. Ask as many questions as you want, but remember to have a little fun too.

 

[swampfox440]

Hi, Welcome to BYC! rats can be hard to eradicate. Some water bucket traps may help. They consist of a plastic pail with a board on top that turns, rat goes up to get the bait and falls into the water and drowns. There is information on how to build them. I have used them with good results. Good luck solving any issues you may have.

 

[Dianna in PA]

Are you able to keep them in a run/coop whilst waiting for the treatment to take effect? Make sure the bottom 30-50cm is wire with smaller holes (6mm, 13mm or 25mm) and then put wood around the bottom so they can't dig under it.

Hello and welcome to BYC! There isn't a better place for learning how to raise your poultry. Ask as many questions as you want, but remember to have a little fun too.

Not the chicks. We still need to build their coop and the run has many holes the rats have dug and we see them in the run. We also have to decide whether or not to integrate the two flocks…once the rats situation resolves.

 

[N F C]

Hi, best of luck with the rodent infestation. Thanks for joining!

 

[Callender Girl]

Dealing with rats is a tough situation. A few years ago, I faced an infestation where the rats had tunneled between two runs. It was like playing Whack-A-Mole. I would think I had dealt with them in one place, only to have them pop up in another.

I revamped the runs where the tunnels were, added hardware cloth to the two attached coops that had dirt floors, moved the feeding station for the ducks far away from the chicken coops, added essential-oil drenched cotton balls to the tunnels and refilled them -- and still, rats.

I am staunchly opposed to killing wildlife. But, I finally exhausted all the non-lethal methods, and the best way to get rid of the rats, for me, was an electronic trap that zapped them. I didn't have to even touch the rats -- which I honestly felt sorry for. All they were trying to do was survive in this world.

However, I also needed my birds to survive and once they crossed into the coops, I had to do something.

As far as integrating your flocks, I have to admit that I am Very Bad at that -- which explains why my property looks like a trailer park for poultry. I have LOTS of small coops with two to five chickens in each (The seven ducks and the two geese each also have their own spaces).

Welcome to BYC -- hope you get the rats under control, your build completed and your flocks integrated, if that's what you choose to do!

 

[Kenneth Zweerink]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens. The Best of Luck with your Flock and with getting the Rat's under control. And a Big Hello from Eastern Nebraska!

 

[Boppo]

Welcome to BYC! Enjoy those birds. And best wishes getting those rats under control!