So for a week, I have a 3 year old hen who has been sitting in the run and does not move fast and sits so much it collects urine/ammonia in chunks on its rear. I found another hen, same age, suddenly dead today in the coop. No signs of illness or trauma. Her coat was beautiful and seemed healthy. I am dealing with rats around the coop. I don't think they are living there, but they like the run. I am catching quite a few of them, but I think there are some left. Are the eggs safe to eat? Any thoughts as to how to keep our flock safe?
Your coop is not secure if rats are getting in. You may want to invest in something to cover and hole larger than an inch, including a hardwire cloth skirt. Have you checked them for mites? Mites seem to be a big problem right now for a lot of people here on BYC. When was the last time you wormed them?
