Need help with rat argument

[ElpoloLoCo]

My local health department is against changing the ordinance because they fear it will cause more rats. The think chicken poop and food will be eaten by rats. Anyone have an article or argument against this?

 

[Judy]

The chickens will happily eat mice and help control the population, if they're worried about those little field mice. I don't know about larger rats -- my dogs get them.

 

[manfre]

My local health department is against changing the ordinance because they fear it will cause more rats. The think chicken poop and food will be eaten by rats. Anyone have an article or argument against this?

Field mice and rats will be attracted to vegetable gardens, compost bins, bird feeders, dog/cat food, and chicken food that is left out. I don't have chickens, but I do kill the occasional rat and field mouse.

 

[Eznet2u]

My local health department is against changing the ordinance because they fear it will cause more rats. The think chicken poop and food will be eaten by rats. Anyone have an article or argument against this?

This is not a valid argument. The same could be said for Dogs and Cats. The local Sparrows usually clean up any spilled chicken feed before nightfall.

 

[spikennipper]

Chickens do not cause a rat problem, rats are not attracted to chickens but to food that may be spilt, they are not interested in droppings, there are rats in the area I live but I have never seen one in the garden even though I own chickens, as long as food is contained properly and there isn't a load of it everywhere there should be no problem, rats are far more attracted to human waste such as left over foods.

 

[chickortreat]

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[CovertChickOps]

I think the best arguement is to point out that rats will also eat eggs, so it is in the best interest of the chicken owner to have a rat proof coop!

 

[NightingaleJen]

The others are correct. To be frank, there are likely already rats in your area anyhow! So long as you and your local songbirds keep things cleaned up, there should not really be an issue. The chicken poop is nothing at all the rats would want, as someone else noted—especially if you decide to go ahead and compost it!

So many fallacies, so many politicians who believe them, so little time...!