Rat-Proof Coop???

[GregL]

Does anyone out there have a rat-proof coop design, or know of where to find one. My neighbor has a dozen or so chickens in her backyard (which I like) but she also is raising a good hundred or more rats in their along with 'em. I don't mind picking them off one-by-one with my pellet gun, but it's taking up an awful lot of my free time, and I don't seem to be making much headway.

I've been asked by the neighbors to come up with a new coop/run that will prevent the rats from multiplying like well, rats. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I live in Portland, OR - right in the city.

 

[gumpsgirl]

Yep! Keep the food up when it is bedtime. If there is nothing for the rats to eat, they won't be interested in coming into your coop.

WELCOME TO BYC, by the way!

 

[GregL]

So, I guess I should be exploring feeding systems ... any suggestions on an easy way to deal with closing up the food shop at bedtime? I think she uses a really simple trough affair that's always accessible. Obviously, that's the problem then. Also, the chickens seem to be pretty messy eaters, and splatter the grain all over the floor when their eating, so does one have to clean the floor every night when closing up the coop for the night?

 

[CarriBrown]

Close up the food. Any rat stupid enough to go into a coop of roosting chickens will be killed. Trust me on that... we found a dead one just yesterday!!

 

[jjthink]

Hardware cloth works wonders. Until I used that on a prior coop (on floor, then covered with straw, and several inches up the sides) I had trouble keeping them out. (current coop has cement floor under the wood so nothing can chew in from the bottom). The second the hardware cloth was in place, no more rats because they couldn't chew through it - they left for greener pastures. Also good to have food securely away at night if possible - if it gets all over the floor, mighty tempting to hungry beings....
JJ