How to Get Rid of Rats in Chicken Coops

Have you noticed droppings, nests, or gnaw marks in your chicken coop?

If so, you could have a rat problem.

Rats can destroy your coop, eat chicken eggs, and even harm your flock, so it’s essential to get rid of them as soon as you notice their presence.

For more than twenty years, The Pest Dude has been helping people learn to do their own pest control.

We’ve compiled our top tips into this comprehensive guide.

Before You Get Started

Move Your Chickens

Before tackling a rat problem in your chicken coop, temporarily move your chickens to a safe location.

Why?

This limits the stress they’ll experience during the process and keeps them away from dangerous things like traps, baits, and rodenticides.

Be Aware of the Dangers

Rats can be a serious threat to your chicken coop!

These pests steal chicken feed, injure or kill young chicks, and spread diseases that can wipe out your flock.

Gather your Tools

Preparing for your rat-removal mission requires some equipment.

We recommend grabbing a shovel, a ladder, some heavy-duty leather gloves, and protective gear like goggles and a face mask or respirator.

Decide Between DIY and Professional Removal

Finally, decide whether to deal with rats yourself or hire a pro.

Of course, this completely depends on the nature and severity of the infestation.

A DIY approach could do the trick if you’ve just got a couple of rats in your coop and feel up to the challenge.

If the infestation is more widespread or you’re unsure where to start, it’s probably a good idea to call in the professionals.

After all, rats can be difficult to get rid of, and having some expert knowledge on your side may be helpful.

6 Steps to Keep Rats out of Your Chicken Coop

1. Start With an Inspection

The first step in tackling a rat problem is to understand how bad it is.

This means you’ll need to start with a comprehensive inspection of your coop and the surrounding areas.

This is the best way to identify nests and droppings, find access points, and gather the information needed to create a targeted, effective treatment plan.

How to do it:

• Inspect the perimeter of the coop for gaps or holes that could be entry points for rats. Remember – they can squeeze through tiny cracks the size of your thumb!
• Take a look at the areas where you feed your chickens, the inside of your nesting boxes, and the area below your coop for any signs of rats.
• Look for signs such as droppings, burrows in the ground, and gnaw marks on wooden roosts, perches, or walls.

2. Set Traps or Bait Stations

Next, remove the existing rats by placing rat traps near their entry and exit points.

How to do it:

• Use proven options like snap traps, t-rex traps, and electric traps (check out our recommendations here).
• Get rid of their primary food sources to ensure the rats will eat the baits you provide. If there’s still plenty of chicken feed around for them to snack on, they’re unlikely to opt for bait blocks instead.
• Once you’ve eliminated other food sources, use some of the food rats have been eating (such as poultry feed or kitchen scraps) to bait your traps.
• Rats are naturally wary of new things in their environment. With this in mind, bait the traps (without setting them) until the rats are comfortable with their presence.
• Once the rats are accustomed to the traps, set and bait an entire box of traps in a single night.
• Check the traps frequently and humanely dispatch any trapped rats.
• If you use rodenticide, keep it in secure bait boxes to reduce the risk of accidental exposure for your flock.

3. Rat-Proof the Coop

Rats are highly attracted to chicken coops, and virtually nothing will stop them from getting in.

After all, coops offer shelter, warmth, and lots of tasty snacks.

Because of this, they’ll gnaw through wooden walls and tunnel underground to reach your flock.

If you want to keep them out, the best way to do it is to think about keeping them in.

If you design your coop as if you wanted to trap rats inside, you’ll wind up with a structure that’s virtually impossible for rodents to break into from outside.

How to do it:

• Install stainless steel wire mesh or concrete flooring to prevent rats from entering.
• If you use wire on the flooring, fasten it securely to the edges of the floor to create a rat-proof barrier.
• Use sturdy, thick 4×4 wood for construction whenever possible.
• Identify and seal any gap or crack that’s 0.5″ or larger.
• Ensure all doors and window seals are draft- and rat-proof by installing weatherstripping.
• Cover vents and openings with heavy-duty wire mesh for added protection.
• Make it a habit to check the coop regularly for signs of rat activity.

4. Get Rid of Food and Water Sources

Removing food and water is one of the most effective ways to keep rats out of your chicken coop.

Without these essential resources, rats are much less likely to invade or re-infest your coop.

How to do it:

• Keep chicken feed in sealed, rodent-resistant containers.
• If you spill any chicken feed, clean it up quickly.
• Regularly remove uneaten kitchen scraps from your coop and run.
• Get rid of sources of standing water.
• Invest in rat-resistant chicken feeders and waterers. These nifty feeders allow your flock to access all the food and water they want while keeping rats out.

5. Remove Rat Droppings and Clean the Coop

Now that you’ve gotten rid of food and water access and sealed all rat entry points, it’s time to deep clean your coop to ensure a safe and healthy environment for your chickens.

This is important because rat waste can carry harmful diseases that are dangerous to people and poultry.

Protect yourself by wearing gloves, a mask, and goggles during the cleaning process.

How to do it:

• Start by removing all bedding material from the coop and nest boxes.
• Use a dustpan, broom, or shop vac to clean up bedding and rat droppings. Avoid using a leaf blower to blow bedding out of your coop, as this will spread dust into the air and increase your risk of inhaling harmful particulates.
• Seal bedding, nest materials, and droppings into a durable plastic trash bag and dispose of it in an outdoor trash can.
• Once you’ve cleaned the coop, use a flock-safe disinfectant to remove any lingering bacteria.
• Allow the coop to dry thoroughly before replacing the bedding.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with hot, soapy water and monitor yourself for signs of illness, including fever and respiratory symptoms.

6. Keep an Eye on Rat Activity

Now that you’ve rat-proofed and cleaned your coop, it’s important to monitor it for any future signs of rat activity.

How to do it:

• Check the coop weekly for any signs of rats, including gnaw marks and droppings.
• Adjust or re-start your trapping and baiting efforts as needed.
• Place trap boxes around the outside of the trap to decrease the likelihood of future infestations.

DON’T Waste Your Time on These Unproven Methods

There are plenty of ways to deal with rodents, but not all are safe or effective when you’ve got chickens around.

Here’s a quick look at some of the top methods to avoid:

Ultrasonic Devices

Ultrasonic devices claim to emit high-frequency sound waves to deter rodents.

That said, there is minimal evidence to show they work, and they’re just not worth wasting your time or money on.

Natural Repellents

Some sites recommend using repellents like peppermint oil and used cat litter to keep rats away.

Unfortunately, these things don’t work, and they definitely won’t solve your rodent problem.

Glue Traps

Using glue traps in a chicken coop isn’t a good idea.

Since they can injure but not kill rats, chickens, and other animals, they’re not usually considered the most ethical or effective option.

Any trap that you use around your chicken coop should be safely encased in a chicken-proof trap box.

When to Call in the Pros

If the rat problem is getting out of hand or your DIY efforts just aren’t cutting it, it might be time to bring in the pros.

Rats are sneaky and tough to deal with, so calling a rodent control team can save you a lot of hassle.

After all, professional teams have the tools and experience to tackle the problem and keep your flock safe.

Let us Connect You With a Pest Pro in Your Area!

You want your coop to be a cozy, safe place for your chickens, and rats can really put a damper on that.

Fortunately, you don’t have to deal with them forever.

At The Pest Dude, we work with a nationwide network of skilled, reliable pest control professionals.

Call us at (844) 532-0076, and we’ll connect you with an expert in your area who can help you identify and eliminate these pesky rodents and reclaim your coop and run.