HOW TO FREE CHICKEN COOP (HOUSE) FROM RODENT

Rodent are enemy of poultry farm, if care is not taken they can kill birds. Rats and mice in our chickens coops have to be one of the nastier aspects for raising backyard chickens. But I’m here to tell you that it can be prevented! Rodents in a coop do a lot more damage than just eating your feed. Rats have been known to chew on tail feathers, crack and eat eggs, and even eat little baby chicks! They also spread filth and carry parasites and diseases that can be transmitted to your flock.

THESE ARE TIPS FOR A RODENT FREE COOP
There some simple tips to keep your chickens in a rodent free coop

1. Deny the access
The first thing you need to do is prevent the rats from getting into to your coop, Install 1/4 or 1/2 inch hardware cloth around the coop. You’ll want to attach to coop and bury as a perimeter about 10 – 12 inches underground. This will keep digging rodents from tunneling into the coop. Next take that same hardware cloth and use it as cover for all the coop windows and other openings to prevent them from sneaking in that way into the coop.

2. Natural Repellents

Rats and co detest mint – a little planted around your coop can be a great deterrent. I’ve also heard of people using essential oils for this job but I think that would be a much more costly way to prevent them

3. Get a killer on the job

People have been keeping barn cats since there were barns. But a good ratter dog can be helpful too. My Australian Shepherd caught a few in our early years of keeping a backyard flock. My cat was more of a Garfield; he wouldn’t have chased a mouse or a rat for anything. Also to note even if you have a cat for rodent patrol, you’ll need to feed and water him – they are not care free.

4. Don’t feed them.

The rodents are looking for easy meals. Don’t leave food out over night. Make sure the coop is no dirty with leftover chicken feeds, because this will always attract rodents.