You have solved the problem for now but have not solved the reason you have the problem.
Guaranteed that you didn't kill all of them and if you did others will move into the territory, in fact usually rat colonies have continuing battles over choice territories. They will be scoping out your coop before long and move a new bunch right back in.
Solve the reason you had rats and be done with it. Get a proper treadle feeder. It will pay for itself in stopping feed spillage as well as stolen feed by rodents and wild birds. Less disease and stress brought into the flock is a bonus.
Guaranteed that you didn't kill all of them and if you did others will move into the territory, in fact usually rat colonies have continuing battles over choice territories. They will be scoping out your coop before long and move a new bunch right back in.
Solve the reason you had rats and be done with it. Get a proper treadle feeder. It will pay for itself in stopping feed spillage as well as stolen feed by rodents and wild birds. Less disease and stress brought into the flock is a bonus.
