When I opened the coop this morning out came my girls in typical form; wanting to see what I had brought them to eat and to be petted. As I was bent over putting down the oatmeal out of the coop came a very "henpecked" rat. It was so disoriented and suffering from blood loss
(I HATE rats) that it came towards me, surely not for protection I hope 'cause I tried to stomp it
but only got its tail before it scampered off. I let the girls out to free range so I could find it and kill it. Went to get the shovel and the stupid thing walked toward me again but this time I had the shovel. The girls put themselves to bed last night, as usual, but most nights as soon as they are in the coop I close the door. The coop is in their run/yard so they are protected and gate is closed. Last night we went out and didn't get back until around 8:00 and I went out and closed the door so I suppose he could have gotten in beforehand. It got really cold - for here - down in low 40's. That's really cold for those of us who live where if it gets below 65, a major cold front has come through and we turn on the heat. Do chickens typically attack rats? They wouldn't go near it after I killed it.
