How to get rid of rats in the chicken coop

Similar to wild birds and predators, rats are a great way of introducing disease into the chicken coop. When rats come into a chicken coop they also leave behind disease-carrying droppings and strong smelling urine. So how do you get rid of rats in the chicken coop without harming the chooks? There are many rat poisons out there but they are just as harmful to chickens as they are to the rats.

So there are a few things to think about:

• Is there a chicken-safe rat poison?
• What is attracting the rats to the chicken coop?
• How can you safely deliver rat poison without harming your hens, other poultry, livestock or domestic animals?

Is there a chicken safe rat poison?

Yes. Rat poisons are also known as rodenticide. Ratshot by Freezone differs as it is made with difenacoum. Ratshot is designed for use around pets, livestock and also poultry. It is still highly toxic to rodents, but it has been made to be lower in toxicity for other, non-target animals like chickens and pets. However, if you are a rat, Ratshot is most likely going to be your last meal.

What is attracting rats to the chicken coop?

Rats have an incredibly keen sense of smell. And guess what, for a rat your chicken coop is like walking past a pizzeria. The delicious smell of your chicken house will attract rats from all directions.

Unless you have a really high fence with very small holes, rats will either go through the wire apertures or even jump the fence. In fact, rats can jump up to 1 metre from a stationary position. Incredibly, they can fit through any hole larger than 2cm. That's serious determination.

Chicken coops are a smorgasbord of delicacies for a rat. The two main things in a chicken run which attract rats are chicken feed as well as chicken droppings. So here are a couple of tips to help lessen the open invitation.

Minimise rats in the coop:

1. Use a chicken feeder made to prevent feed waste on the ground. Bell feeders and treadle feeders allow chickens to thrash feed onto the ground. If you use a Australian-made, patented Dine A Chook Chicken Feeder you will all but eliminate wasted feed. Less to no feed on the ground means less reasons for a rat to bother.
2. Clean the coop regularly. Using a dropping tray under the roosts in the coop will allow you to easily remove droppings daily. The cleaner the coop, the less attraction for rats.
3. If you are scattering scraps in the chicken run for the hens to eat, do this between 10 am to 2 pm and only dish out the feed they will eat before sunset. Too much feed and it will just end up staying uneaten on the ground waiting for the rats at night.
4. Rats prey on eggs. However if food is scarce, rats will attack young chicks and even adult hens. Rats kill chicks by biting and attacking the neck or head of the bird. Collect the eggs and ensure young chicks are safe from rats.
5. Stop throwing scraps on the ground for chickens to eat. The smell of day-old food scraps is so very appealing to rodents.

How to get rid of rats in the chicken coop

Without question, Ratshot is the best way to specifically target rats and mice. The innovative Ratshot rodenticide bait station means only the rats get to the poison. Any other curious pet or animal simply can not access the lockable station. And being lockable means it is child safe as well. Ratshot rodenticide bait station works by using poison blocks which are specifically made to kill rats. This pest control system simply could not be easier to use. Freezone Ratshot is the complete answer of "How to get rid of rats in the chicken coop?".

Time needed: 5 minutes.

Here are the simple steps to implement this amazing rat prevention system around your home, warehouse, office, aviary or chicken coop.

1. What the Ratshot rodenticide bait station looks like.

   There are three main components to the Ratshot bait station. The bait station, the U-shaped key and also the rat block pin.

2. Open the lockable rat bait station.

   Insert the U-shaped key into the lid of the lockable bait station, push the key down and open the lid by lifting it.

3. Remove the rat bait/block pin from the bait station side channels.

4. Position Ratshot blocks onto the internal pin.

   Skewer the Ratshot Rodent and Rat Blocks onto the Block pin. We recommend 3 - 4 blocks on the pin. each Ratshot block has a strong scent to lure rats to the station. By placing a few onto the block pin you shall achieve a strong attraction for rats. Once you have positioned the rat bait blocks, slide the pin into the two internal side channels. This will prevent the blocks from coming out of the station when the lid is shut and locked. Placing a dish of water near the bait station may improve effectiveness.

5. Close the lid

   Close the lid and check that the lid is secure.

6. Wash your hands

   Although Ratshot is lower in toxicity to non-target animals and people, it is still poison, so wash your hands after use.

7. Position the bait station
   

   Depending on how bad your rat infestation is, you may find several bait stations will be required to get the rat problem under control.

Other recommended uses for Ratshot Rodent Bait Stations include:

Industrial and Commercial Buildings: Choosing to use multiple exterior rat bait stations around your warehouse is a great way to control and prevent rats. One of Dine A Chook's customers is a large self storage complex in New South Wales. They have reported back to us and advise since using multiple rodent bait stations their storage complex of over 100 units has no signs of rats anywhere in the complex. 

Around the home and shed: Because of the lockable lid making this system child and pet safe you can use Ratshot to help control and eradicate rats in and around the home and garage. 

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