Preventing rats in coop - question re floors

[denasl]

I turned a 12x8 shed into a coop for my chickens. Rats have begun gnawing holes into the wooden floors, and I’m preparing to pour concrete on the floor or lay concrete tiles.

Any suggestions or words of wisdom before I get started?

 

[DobieLover]

I turned a 12x8 shed into a coop for my chickens. Rats have begun gnawing holes into the wooden floors, and I’m preparing to pour concrete on the floor or lay concrete tiles.

Any suggestions or words of wisdom before I get started?

Are they gnawing in from underneath?

 

[denasl]

Are they gnawing in from underneath?

yes, they’re brazen little guys. I can actually see the perfect holes they’re chewing. (I’ve been putting a concrete block on each for the short term, and another one pops up within a week. It’s like I’m playing whack-a-mole.)

 

[DobieLover]

yes, they’re brazen little guys. I can actually see the perfect holes they’re chewing. (I’ve been putting a concrete block on each for the short term, and another one pops up within a week. It’s like I’m playing whack-a-mole.)

I assume you have no predator apron around your coop and run then. That would be my first action. Installing a 2 ft wide 1/2" hardware cloth apron around the coop/run. Make sure the corners are covered too.

 

[mcdze]

ive had a rat/mouse problem in my shed before, its where i keep the feed .. not sure the extent of the infestation, if theyre coming in from next door where they are out of control for instance thats a problem .. but if its just a local 'family' living around your yard you can wipe them out pretty quick with the large size (like 5x8) glue traps .. theyre diabolically effective .. just leave a hole open and put a couple around shielded from the chicks getting on them .. when i got those i was getting like 2-3 a day for a week then nothing lol ..occasionally i break one outfor other problems, they catch bugs crickets snakes, even flies pretty good to if you got one in your kitchen say ..

 

[RojoMarz]

Are they trying to get to the food? What kind of feeder are you using? I have a Ratproof Feeder and love it.

 

[Big Doggie]

I turned a 12x8 shed into a coop for my chickens. Rats have begun gnawing holes into the wooden floors, and I’m preparing to pour concrete on the floor or lay concrete tiles.

Any suggestions or words of wisdom before I get started?

Is your feed in a metal container? If not they will chew through plastic

 

[aart]

I turned a 12x8 shed into a coop for my chickens. Rats have begun gnawing holes into the wooden floors, and I’m preparing to pour concrete on the floor or lay concrete tiles.

Any suggestions or words of wisdom before I get started?

You need to kill the rats.
After adding the apron.

I assume you have no predator apron around your coop and run then. That would be my first action. Installing a 2 ft wide 1/2" hardware cloth apron around the coop/run. Make sure the corners are covered too.View attachment 2371657

 

[denasl]

I assume you have no predator apron around your coop and run then. That would be my first action. Installing a 2 ft wide 1/2" hardware cloth apron around the coop/run. Make sure the corners are covered too.View attachment 2371657

Very helpful, thank you! Our run abuts our coop, though - encircling the whole coop would require laying it in the run. Is that advised?

 

[denasl]

Are they trying to get to the food? What kind of feeder are you using? I have a Ratproof Feeder and love it.

We have the attached feeder. So far, so good. I don't believe the rats can access the feed inside.