Rodents are a big problem for your chickens. They can cause major problems, in addition to eating eggs, gnawing through chicken wire and eating any food in sight. They are a nuisance at best and a danger at worst.
In this guide you will find out why rodents are interested in your chicken coops, what negative effects they can have and how you can prevent an infestation or deal with an existing infestation. Let's jump in.
Do chicken coops attract mice and rats?
In short: yes, but maybe not for the reason you think. It is a common misconception that chickens attract rats and mice, but they are actually not interested in chickens. Plenty of food and a comfortable place to eat will attract rats in no time. What benefits does a chicken coop provide? You guessed it, both things.
Rats and mice will eat almost anything, but are often afraid of larger animals. Unfortunately, chickens aren't cruel enough to scare away your new rodent friends. This makes the abundance of food and cozy environment in a chicken coop the ideal place for rodents to congregate. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent them from becoming too comfortable.
Why rats and mice are a problem
The immediate answer is the risk of infection. Rats and mice are known to carry several diseases that can be disastrous for your chickens. Additionally, they tend to consume both your water and feed at an extreme rate, leaving very little for the chickens themselves. Rodents have even been known to eat chicken eggs.
Additional potential problems include:
- Increased stress:Naturally, chickens do not appreciate rats invading their home. This increased stress can seriously hinder their ability to produce eggs
- Danger for chickens:In addition to being disease-carrying rodents, rats are also predators and will attack chickens if given the chance. Chickens attract rats because their chicks are potential food sources
- Food poisoning:Even if rats don't manage to eat all the food you leave out for your chickens, they will contaminate it through their droppings
They can also cause real damage to the structure of your chicken coops. Rats can chew through anything, including chicken feces and hardware (unless reinforced). Rats have even been known to cause electrical fires due to their incessant chewing.
How do you know if there are rats and mice near your chicken coops?
Although rats and mice can have serious consequences for your chickens, they are not always the easiest to spot. They are fast and often nocturnal, meaning you're unlikely to ever see one. However, that doesn't mean they aren't there and the damage remains the same.
Some of the top signs that your chicken coop has a rat infestation include:
- Increased feed consumption:It's not always easy to say exactly how much feeding your chickens are going through, but it is possible to get an estimate. If you suddenly discover that your...lining machinedon't stay full as long as you used to, probably because you're also feeding your new guests
- Damage to your chicken coops:A rat's preferred way of entering a cage is by chewing or digging, both of which they are excellent at. If you notice any unusual holes or signs of damage, especially on irregular edges, you may have unwanted guests
- Absent eggs:If you've noticed a sudden drop in the number of eggs you're collecting from your chickens, it could be due to the rats. Chickens will lay fewer eggs when they are stressed, and the eggs they do lay can be eaten by rats
- Waste:Not the most fun thing to think about, but a clue nonetheless. Rat feces look like small, brown grains of rice, so they are usually easy to spot
If you notice any of the above symptoms in your chicken coops, it's time to take action. Read on for our top tips for solving a rat infestation.
How to Keep Mice and Rats Out of Your Chicken Coops
Securing your chickens from rats is not as easy as it seems at first glance. Rats are much more capable than most people think. They can climb almost anything, including feeders. If they can't climb in, they can certainly chew their way through. You need to make your chicken coop and feeders less attractive to rats. Here are some ways to achieve this.
Gift
Rats are obsessed with food. Their entire existence revolves around it. Poison can be a very successful way to get rid of rats. This will kill the current rodents and deter others from living among the chickens. UsRuby blockInWhole grain baitare perfect for this. They want a safe food source. If it turns out this isn't available, they move on.
Traps
In some cases, poisoning the food supply is not an option and can even be dangerous to your chickens. In that situation we recommend falling. UsBig cheese in a wooden mousetrapInUltra Power Double Trapsare ideal for quickly removing rodents from your chicken coops. They are both easy to set up and are guaranteed to kill both rats and mice.
Change your habits
One last tip we can give: change the way you do things a little. You can unintentionally attract rats through certain behavior. As we mentioned earlier, a rodent's life is all about feeders, so this makes it harder for them to reach it.
Reinforced hardware cloth can help keep them out, but you should also wipe up any excess food that the chickens haven't eaten. Additionally, you should either keep your feeders away from the stable itself or remove the feeders completely at night. This means there is no incentive for rats and mice to come sniffing around.
Conclusion
So there you have it. Now you are prepared for any possible rodent attack. They are annoying and potentially harmful creatures, but they don't have to be difficult to get rid of. With enough preparation, you can keep your chickens happy and your home safe.
