RATS ARE INVADING MY COOP AT NIGHT. Hens getting injured fighting them off

[linlinssilkies]

We have had a problem with rats in the past killed some of my chicks. We have all adult silkies and I have the roosters seperate from the hens. I noticed one of my older hens missing feathers around her face and now have discovered the rats getting in again. For now I have put one rooster in with the hens until we can clean it out and try to fix the problem. Has anyone else had rats hurting adult birds??

 

[Gamefowl22]

The first pic aren’t rat tracks. It looks like a cat or a fox but can’t quite tell.

 

[WindingRoad]

The first pic aren’t rat tracks. It looks like a cat or a fox but can’t quite tell.

x2

 

[WindingRoad]

We have had a problem with rats in the past killed some of my chicks. We have all adult silkies and I have the roosters seperate from the hens. I noticed one of my older hens missing feathers around her face and now have discovered the rats getting in again. For now I have put one rooster in with the hens until we can clean it out and try to fix the problem. Has anyone else had rats hurting adult birds??

Where are you located. I complain all the time about the snow and cold but then I have to remember my coop is frozen into the ground and banked to the hilt with hard snow. We've had some rain on the snow a couple of times and it makes a good crust.
Hard wire is what you need. Buried around the perimeter. About 18 inches. And for secondary protection some electric fencing.

 

[linlinssilkies]

The first pic aren’t rat tracks. It looks like a cat or a fox but can’t quite tell.

Yes, the tracks are probably my dog sniffing the hole. the first pic I was showing you the hole where they are getting into my barn. Sorry it was not clear. Do you see the second pic? where you can see the tail mark?

 

[linlinssilkies]

Where are you located. I complain all the time about the snow and cold but then I have to remember my coop is frozen into the ground and banked to the hilt with hard snow. We've had some rain on the snow a couple of times and it makes a good crust.
Hard wire is what you need. Buried around the perimeter. About 18 inches. And for secondary protection some electric fencing.

I live in southwestern Ontario so we get quite a bit of snow in the winter. It seems the rats are enjoying the warmth and food inside my coop. I will suggest the hardwire to my husband as they keep finding their way in!

 

[linlinssilkies]

To clear this up they burrow under ground to find ways to get into my barn. last spring I found them living inside the walls and insulation. A Pregnant rat had killed my little chicks that were protected by wire but they are able to squeeze through small spaces I guess. We ended up catching and killing the mother and baby rats. I think they are now harassing my adult hens by eating their food. They are Silkie hens

 

[Gamefowl22]

Yes, the tracks are probably my dog sniffing the hole. the first pic I was showing you the hole where they are getting into my barn. Sorry it was not clear. Do you see the second pic? where you can see the tail mark?

Gotcha. You can set a conibear trap in front of the hole. You should be able to find a 110 size trap for a few bucks at a feed store.

 

[Cryss]

Do you leave feed inside at night? If so you might want to start there. Bring food in so rats and critters aren't attracted to the food.

 

[linlinssilkies]

Gotcha. You can set a conibear trap in front of the hole. You should be able to find a 110 size trap for a few bucks at a feed store.

Thanks will do!