THEY HAVE SHIPPED!

[SMonroe1990]

Honestly with my 11 I don't even smell them.. The inside of the coop smells like pine shavings and straw and I have only cleaned it once since July. I just add a little more shavings or straw every once and a while. I don't have an experience with rats. I so far have not had any issues with them. I think it all depends on the person. A lot of people wont feed or water their chickens inside the coop because that will attract them. I give mine the food and water in the coop and give them food scraps outside. I also hear if you have insulation in the coop that that provides homes for mice and such. Other people get a cat and rise it to be a "barn" cat so it hunts the rats down and keeps them away. We have never really had a rat problem here so I really don't have much advice for you unfortunately. The only time we had rats was because the neighbor across the street, who also has chickens, had them, but our husky quickly took care of that problem.

 

[stasichick]

Oh well thats good news... Im sure Snoopy will give any rats a run for their money... he seems to love chasing squirrels so I am sure we will be in good shape. ) hopefully!

 

[SMonroe1990]

I think you will be fine. I am curious though how many people out there who own chickens have actually had an issue with rats.

 

[Xiao Casa]

Actually, a more common problem than rats is the infamous...... cockroach! Cockroach infestations are not as harmful as rats, but more common for us urban chicken keepers. There are always stray cats or pet cats in urban areas (plus people who use rat poison!) so rats don't seem to be that bad. At least not around here. Cockroaches are pretty common though, our chickens are not quite 8 weeks old and we have already had two small cockroach infestations. But seriously, what are you gonna do? You have to feed the chickens, and if there is food then cockroaches will figure it out.

 

[sferle]

Ideal Hatchery , fast shipping shipped from TX 9/17/2014 to TN 9/18/2014
8 Silver Wyandottes females 1 male
1 male Australorp

 

[lightchick]

Ideal Hatchery , fast shipping shipped from TX 9/17/2014 to TN 9/18/2014
8 Silver Wyandottes females 1 male
1 male Australorp

Oh! They are so adorable! I ordered from Ideal earlier this year!

 

[SMonroe1990]

Actually, a more common problem than rats is the infamous...... cockroach! Cockroach infestations are not as harmful as rats, but more common for us urban chicken keepers. There are always stray cats or pet cats in urban areas (plus people who use rat poison!) so rats don't seem to be that bad. At least not around here. Cockroaches are pretty common though, our chickens are not quite 8 weeks old and we have already had two small cockroach infestations. But seriously, what are you gonna do? You have to feed the chickens, and if there is food then cockroaches will figure it out.

I have never seen a cockroach. But that is good information to know! I have never heard anyone from around me say anything about cockroaches. I will just have to keep my eyes open.

Ideal Hatchery , fast shipping shipped from TX 9/17/2014 to TN 9/18/2014
8 Silver Wyandottes females 1 male
1 male Australorp

Absolutely adorable! Glad to see that they all arrived safe and sound.

 

[stasichick]

I think you will be fine. I am curious though how many people out there who own chickens have actually had an issue with rats.

I do work for an exterminating company and when I told them casually in conversation that I was getting chickens they all said "Keep our number close!!! you'll need it when the rats come!!" made me a bit nervous... but I was reading tips online... most tips say just to keep the coop / run clean and don't keep clutter near the coop / around the yard... Example: open-air compost bins, garbage piles, etc. If we do have any issues I am going to stick to NO POISON... I read a lot about the rats eating the poison, going into the coop and dieing... then the girls have a field day eating the rat and get sick or die... Plus any other animal, cat / dog can eat the poison and potentially die. ( I haven't heard about cockroaches yet! Xiao Casa eek! I am curious though... wouldn't the chickens eat the cockroaches? I know that chickens LOVE bugs. any thoughts or experience with this???

 

[stasichick]

OHHH MYYYY GOODNESSSSS!! im ready for my next batch... hehehehe that are so so so cute!!!!

 

[SMonroe1990]

I do work for an exterminating company and when I told them casually in conversation that I was getting chickens they all said "Keep our number close!!! you'll need it when the rats come!!" made me a bit nervous... but I was reading tips online... most tips say just to keep the coop / run clean and don't keep clutter near the coop / around the yard... Example: open-air compost bins, garbage piles, etc. If we do have any issues I am going to stick to NO POISON... I read a lot about the rats eating the poison, going into the coop and dieing... then the girls have a field day eating the rat and get sick or die... Plus any other animal, cat / dog can eat the poison and potentially die. ( I haven't heard about cockroaches yet! Xiao Casa eek! I am curious though... wouldn't the chickens eat the cockroaches? I know that chickens LOVE bugs. any thoughts or experience with this???

I know rats can be a problem, but I think its a less common problem with having chickens than non chicken people know about. Everybody I talked to about wanting to get them always said you get rats, and that was actually the reason it took me so long to get them. My mom didn't want us getting rats. So after I did some research I presented her with the findings on rats and chickens and if I remember correctly it usually isnt very likely you get rats as long as you follow some basic rules. I know when I talked with my aunt, who has chickens, she never mentioned anything about rats.

And it is almost time to need to order more. I need to make renovations to my coop first and then its a couple ducks for me next year.