How do I rid my chicken coop of rats safely?

Question

I've had it for years and the last few months, rats have discovered it. I don't want to have to build a new one with a concrete or hardware cloth type bottom, but they're getting all of our eggs. We're in the country, so I shoot them when I see them but this is not a permanent solution. We've used rat poison in the holes, but I don't like that because we have dogs and other animals and don't want the chance of poisoning some innocent animal, and I just don't like using poison. Our rat snake has disappeared. Any DYI help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Rachel's Trash~2~Treasures · Answer

My neighbor has date palms that were infested with rats and they found their way into my garage. The pest control guy told me to use steel wool, stuff it into every nook and cranny. Rats will chew through just about anything but not steel wool. That was about two years ago and we haven't had a problem since

Lynn Sorrell · Answer

Use mesh wire over the holes & bottom of fencing along ground or even sunk down into ground or secure with cider blocks or bricks around bottom so they cannot chew thru or move it. here's some wire need to use small gauge opening so the rats cannot get thru https://www.lowes.com/pd/Blue-Hawk-Actual-10-ft-x-3-ft-Rolled-wire-Galvanized-Welded-Wire-Garden-Hardware-Cloth-Rolled-Fencing/4780945 ; fill holes with steel wool and spray foam ; poison bad idea ; buy another snake or two & put them out there;fill holes with copper wire https://www.nixalite.com/product/copper-blocker-access-control?p=200&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi666jJ3S3wIVjchkCh1Yzgk_EAQYAyABEgKnKvD_BwE MORE help https://www.hobbyfarms.com/rodent-control-7-ways-to-keep-mice-and-rats-out-of-the-coop-3/ MORE https://www.backyardchickencoops.com.au/predator-profile-rats/ Trapping boxes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izbLYM0ZWi0 More https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ggzmCZQdbs I think rat snake is the way to go

Debbs · Answer

We had an invasion two years ago. They also got into our attached garage and caused $3000 damage to my brand new car...literally first week of ownership We live in the country so I am sure they are all around but just found us that time. Our coop has a space under the floor where they were living and also all about the yard (subterranian norwegian rats). We bought a chemical rat poison called 'Havoc'. We put pellets under the coop (chickens could not get there so it was safe), we put pellets down every hole we could find, we put traps in every out building, garage, car port etc. We spent about $100 on all our supplies and showed no mercy for a week solid. We must have caught 100 in traps, and all the pellets kept getting eaten for about 7 days, then they stopped being eaten altogether. We filled the holes with dirt and now for 2 years - thank god - no sign of their return. We keep the Havoc in corners of the shops and keep traps about just as good measure because damage to ones automobile can get very expensive very fast.

Charlotte Koch · Answer

I'm going to add your solutions to my list. We're going to try everything, showing no mercy. I've never heard of Havoc but I'll find it.

I really hate killing any kind of animal, but I need to protect my chickens.

Thanks for replying.

Bob Rogers · Answer

I'd be interested to hear any updates you have on your mission to rid your rats. I have seen a couple of coops that have a mesh flooring that stop vermin getting in