One Sick, one dead and rats to boot!

[bovine0001]

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?

 

[Kiki]

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?