Rodent-proofing

[Fishkeeper]

Is the only effective way of entirely rodent-proofing a coop and run to make sure all sides are covered in concrete/cinderblock, hardware cloth, and metal? Those things are impressive gnawers- I've read that rats can even gnaw through cinderblock if given enough incentive.
I figure the best way to not have to deal with rats endangering quail isn't to try and trap/poison all the rats in the area, it's to just make sure they can't get in in the first place.

 

[Folly's place]

So true, but sometimes things can get out of hand, either because they come in through an opened door, or something was missed during construction. Having a barn cat who will actually take out rats would be a plus! My barn cats did mice very well, but not rats.
Only poison will actually eliminate a colony of rats, and when you see one, there will be many more!
Mary

 

[Fishkeeper]

I don't think keeping a barn cat inside a quail pen would be a very good idea.
I'm reading that they can chew through cinderblocks, but how much incentive do they need to do that? Is the average rat likely to do that to get at quail and quail feed?

Having a concrete slab laid is expensive, but I think something akin to it could be rigged with cinderblocks. Dig a 4" deep 'bed', fill it with cinderblocks, laid end to end with the non-holey sides facing up, and frame the cinderblocks with wood as the frame is built as normal. No weasel is going to dig its way up through cinderblocks!

 

[aart]

They can easily dig 4" down....and holes in the cinder blocks can provide access no matter which orientation.

Apron is the best bet:
Good examples of anti-dig apron installation.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1110498/wire-around-coop#post_17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

Tho if you have colonies on your property, poison is probably a good thing to do also.

 

[Fishkeeper]

What I mean is, arrange the cinderblocks like tiles, so that the entire floor of the pen is cinderblock material. The holes would all be set perpendicular to the floor, so there would be 'tunnels' under the floor but not up into the pen.

Right, I know a buried apron can do the trick. Do predators ever figure out a way around that?

 

[Folly's place]

A buried apron and/ or a concrete floor are best. My coop sits on an old concrete foundation, and now that it's developed cracks, issues are happening. Hardware cloth around the perimeter, some new concrete flooring, and bait, have managed things so far. It's an ongoing process...
My first barn cat ignored the quail; my second was more 'bird orientated' and wouldn't have been fine with them. I do agree, quail are pretty small and inviting.
Mary

 

[aart]

What I mean is, arrange the cinderblocks like tiles, so that the entire floor of the pen is cinderblock material.

Oh, well, yes that should work to keep them coming up thru the floor.

 

[Folly's place]

The problem that I see with this plan is that over time the blocks will shift, just a bit, but enough to let in rodents. A solid floor would be best. One pour and you're done!
Mary

 

[aart]

The problem that I see with this plan is that over time the blocks will shift, just a bit, but enough to let in rodents. A solid floor would be best. One pour and you're done!
Mary

I was going to suggest compacted gravel base....but no frost heave in TX

 

[Howard E]

Do you actually have rats, or are asking so as to be pro-active?

In answer to your question, yes.....best materials to rat proof a structure would be a cement slab floor; structures sheathed with metal siding and roof and all pens and screened openings covered with 1/2" hardware cloth. No openings larger than 1/2" anywhere. They can dig their way in, climb to any openings and if all else fails, chew their way in.

Did you see this thread?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/rat-control-101.1283827/

First post in the thread has a section on rat proofing, including an excellent video. Do note the part about how rats go about tunneling in. An apron like that used to defeat normal digging predators will likely not do it. Rats will tunnel in from "out there".