Rat proofing a pre-existing garden shed

[Deezchix]

Trying to move our first flock into a garden shed. It is basically a tiny 4×6(I think) house. It has vinyl siding and insulation so we plan on installing vents on all 4 sides and possibly a window. The problem is rats. We recently started storing the bedding and metal garbage cans with feed in the shed and rats have apparently overnight chewed their way into the shed. Twice my husband had to block holes with bricks and wood pieces (they chew through spray foam btw). The shed is on a cement slab. Any suggestions on how to rat proof before finishing the coop?
Thanks

 

[blackdog043]

Can you post pictures of your shed, inside and outside, so we can get a better idea of what you have and how it is built?
Is all the insulating material spray foam? Insulation is a great place for rodents to make nests. Did the rats just show up, since you started putting stuff inside?

 

[Deezchix]

Can you post pictures of your shed, inside and outside, so we can get a better idea of what you have and how it is built?
Is all the insulating material spray foam? Insulation is a great place for rodents to make nests. Did the rats just show up, since you started putting stuff inside?

I will take pics tomorrow and post. We've had various rodents pass through our garden for a quick nibble over the past few years, but between us working the garden and our cat being in the yard, they never stuck around. This year we didn't do any gardening and our cat has been mostly indoors. Since getting the chickens I did notice a few holes and a little dropping here and there, but I would sprinkle rat magic and wouldn't see anything for awhile. It was exactly 2 days after clearing out shed and putting feed & bedding in it, that one morning opened shed and could see light coming through a corner. Husband blocked it up and few weeks later same happened in another corner.

 

[Deezchix]

Here are some pics. The exterior has thin foam sheets under the vinyl siding. Interior has some spray foam my husband used to fill in some cracks.

 

[3KillerBs]

That looks like a good base to start with.

You're going to need to add a lot of ventilation, which should itself help reduce the attractiveness to rodents because they hate light and air. I suggest top-hinged windows, which act as their own awnings, at the top and bottom of the roof slope

I don't know what to suggest about them chewing through the boards, but digging in some hardware cloth around the base should keep them from going underneath.

 

[Deezchix]

That looks like a good base to start with.

You're going to need to add a lot of ventilation, which should itself help reduce the attractiveness to rodents because they hate light and air. I suggest top-hinged windows, which act as their own awnings, at the top and bottom of the roof slope

I don't know what to suggest about them chewing through the boards, but digging in some hardware cloth around the base should keep them from going underneath.

For ventilation, does it matter what sides the windows and vents go? Meaning, east, west, north or south? The back of the shed faces south. We have a ton of heat coming from the south. Even in winter, I don't need a coat when outside in Southern sun.
Thanks for the info, I have just told hubby about hardware cloth, so this weekend we are going to work on that and putting in some vent holes.

 

[3KillerBs]

For ventilation, does it matter what sides the windows and vents go? Meaning, east, west, north or south? The back of the shed faces south. We have a ton of heat coming from the south. Even in winter, I don't need a coat when outside in Southern sun.
Thanks for the info, I have just told hubby about hardware cloth, so this weekend we are going to work on that and putting in some vent holes.

The best venting would be at the top and bottom of the slope to ensure a good flow of air above the chickens' heads. Additionally, you'd want to locate any windows at lower levels in the lee side away from your prevailing winter storm winds.

This diagram is from an article on cow barns, but it illustrates the principle:

 

[saysfaa]

The most important of the basics of deterring/discouraging rats is to take away their food and shelter. So, things like putting away the chicken's feed at night, sweeping up spilled feed, using spill-resistant feeders, storing feed in rodent proof containers, gathering eggs often. So, things like clearing brush, tall grass, and piles of things away from near the coop because they don't like to cross long stretches of open space. And hardware cloth or metal lath apron out 2-3 feet or down to keep them from digging tunnels under the cement of your floor. Since they are already chewing through the walls, I'd put metal lathe up the walls too. Hardware cloth might work for that too but metal lath is sharp as well as sturdier and was less expensive so I don't think they will be very eager to climb it. I saw the cost of the lath went up lately but haven't looked at the cost of hardware cloth lately.

If they get to the food regularly, and continue to have the shelter of the brush to get in and out - they will start building nesting tunnels under your shed foundation. Take away one of the two and they might not. Take away both and they are most likely to not move in although if they have good habitat not too far away then they will probably check periodically.

 

[Deezchix]

The best venting would be at the top and bottom of the slope to ensure a good flow of air above the chickens' heads. Additionally, you'd want to locate any windows at lower levels in the lee side away from your prevailing winter storm winds.

This diagram is from an article on cow barns, but it illustrates the principle:

View attachment 2886328

Thank you so much. The diagram helps alot.

 

[Deezchix]

The most important of the basics of deterring/discouraging rats is to take away their food and shelter. So, things like putting away the chicken's feed at night, sweeping up spilled feed, using spill-resistant feeders, storing feed in rodent proof containers, gathering eggs often. So, things like clearing brush, tall grass, and piles of things away from near the coop because they don't like to cross long stretches of open space. And hardware cloth or metal lath apron out 2-3 feet or down to keep them from digging tunnels under the cement of your floor. Since they are already chewing through the walls, I'd put metal lathe up the walls too. Hardware cloth might work for that too but metal lath is sharp as well as sturdier and was less expensive so I don't think they will be very eager to climb it. I saw the cost of the lath went up lately but haven't looked at the cost of hardware cloth lately.

If they get to the food regularly, and continue to have the shelter of the brush to get in and out - they will start building nesting tunnels under your shed foundation. Take away one of the two and they might not. Take away both and they are most likely to not move in although if they have good habitat not too far away then they will probably check periodically.

We do collect eggs daily sometimes twice. We sweep up every evening and keep food in metal cans. Not too much brush or tall grass around shed, but we will definitely have to rethink the garden design for next year. I think we will try digging out and down for the hardware cloth just to be safe and running it up the walls before attaching new plywood. We currently use those hanging feeders, but will look into rodent proof feeders. Thanks very much for the ideas. Fingers crossed.