Will Rats harm my Chicks?

[bantymum]

Yes The rats will kill them. They got a bantam chick once with mum there also. I use a fine grade mesh for the baby pens just for this purpose so the ratties cant fit through.
Then when the babies are old enough, they go to adult pens.
Maybe a rat trap with the steel hinge up high where the chookies cant reach!!
Helen

 

[SunChick]

How old do you think the chicks need to be to defend themselves against the big furry snake tailed things? My neighbor has taken to keeping his chicks in an enclosed pen because of the nasty things. I hate rats!

 

[bantymum]

How big are the rats??
I have had a pekin bantam taken one horrible night,
May have been an owl though!!she was brooding outside of pen and I didnt do a head count before I locked their door.
My chicken sleeping hutch is ratproof with mainly wood and fine grade mesh so I havent had this problem, but my young chicks are in their own houses with their mums with same wire mesh.
I cant say enough on how good this stuff is!!that is why it costs more, but you get peace of mind.

 

[mike oxlong]

I have a jack russel/terrior and he is used to the hens and chickens by now after a bit of shouting!! But he catches loads of mice and has still to catch a rat, he runs after them and digs up where they are getting in, which helps me know where they are,. !!! Just to let you know about that.
At the minute now i am trying to get rid of the rats because i will be bringing chicks out in a few weeks