Winter broody cochin hen candle day 7?

[BulldogsandChickens]

Your sure it wasn't under her wing?

Yes, I moved her to a brooder in Coop and only one?!?

 

[ShannonsChimkens]

Can rats get in the coop? They will snatch babies right out from under mom in the dark.

 

[BulldogsandChickens]

Can rats get in the coop? They will snatch babies right out from under mom in the dark.

Well that is a terrible thought. I keep a light on in the Coop and it is closed up at night. I have not seen any signs of rats. I live in the high desert of Oregon. Our pesky sage rats (ground squirrels) hibernate in Winter and usually only eat the chicken feed in the run in Spring/Summer. My hens have been known to kill mice.

 

[ShannonsChimkens]

Well that is a terrible thought. I keep a light on in the Coop and it is closed up at night. I have not seen any signs of rats. I live in the high desert of Oregon. Our pesky sage rats (ground squirrels) hibernate in Winter and usually only eat the chicken feed in the run in Spring/Summer. My hens have been known to kill mice.

I have sadly lost quite a few freshly hatched chicks with a broody on guard. Two separate broodies. She hatched 4 little Spitz mixes, then came out in the morning to find 1.

Rats are sneaky! I guess a good word to use is weasely?

 

[Weeg]

Put traps out, if you catch rats, that is probably your answer. Don't use poison! I won't give you my lecture on that lol! But, even a coop cam or something to see if you get anything.

 

[BulldogsandChickens]