What to do about this small area where a rat is getting in?

[citychicks99]

I just saw this tonight when I looked through the window... We made two coops, one for our smaller hen who was getting pecked on. I used what we had, which were these garden gates, but I lined the floor with hardware cloth, and they don't work together very well. That's why there's a small opening for rats to climb through and get to the feed.

We do own a metal step feeder that seems to be very effective. But our hen weighs 2-3 pounds and isn't able to put enough weight herself to get access to it.

I'm considering throwing down a pile of river rocks in that small gap and sealing the top up with hardware cloth. I have a feeling they'll still find a way in. Any ideas on what to do? I tried putting a motion sensor LED light above the run area but it doesn't seem to do anything. I think it did make them come out earlier though, which is how I spotted them.

 

[cavemanrich]

Rats will not be able to chew thru Hardware clothe. I would first try to trap the rat. More difficult than said.
Securing your area is number one solution.
They would find it difficult to get thru a cavity filled with rocks, and sealed with HC to keep the stones in place.


WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[citychicks99]

Rats will not be able to chew thru Hardware clothe. I would first try to trap the rat. More difficult than said.
Securing your area is number one solution.
They would find it difficult to get thru a cavity filled with rocks, and sealed with HC to keep the stones in place.


WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Yes, very difficult! This humane rat trap worked at first (https://a.co/d/7xh0zZp) but after a few times the rats figured it out and no one would fall for it anymore. I've tried the buckets too but I've been killing more birds than rats so I don't want to use those traps anymore.