Chickens and their coops are very attractive to rats for
food, water, and a warm home. Keeping rats and other rodents
out is important to prevent disease spread and
potential infestation to other nearby areas,
especially in denser urban neighbourhoods.
To reduce the appeal of your chicken coop
to rodents:
1- Build the chicken run with strong gauge
hardware cloth material, with mesh openings
less than 1 cm (1/2 inch)
2- Elevate 45 cm off the ground or, if elevation
is not an option, lay a concrete foundation for
easier cleaning and to prevent rodents from
burrowing under it
3- Hammer sheet metal flashing into the ground
around the perimeter to create a barrier
4- Remove potential attractants like feed, water,
eggs, and chicken droppings, especially
overnight. Sweep up after feeding and clean
up droppings before nightfall
5- Keep grass and vegetation cut low around
the coop
6- Regularly inspect and repair holes and rodent
entry points