If you keep chickens, you’ve probably come across advice about predators and weatherproofing. But one of the most frustrating problems people run into—and often underestimate—is rats. They’re quick, clever, and if you give them the slightest chance, they’ll make themselves right at home in your coop. Once they’re in, they won’t just scavenge your feed. They’ll dig tunnels, steal eggs, harass your hens, and leave behind diseases.
But here’s the good news—you can stop it. Whether you’re dealing with a few droppings or a full-on infestation, the right steps will make a huge difference. This guide will walk you through how to keep rats away from your chickens, not just short-term, but for good. It’s about prevention, habits, and smart choices that protect your birds and your peace of mind.
Why Rats Are a Problem Around Chickens
Before you go fixing fences or setting traps, it helps to know what you’re dealing with. Rats aren’t coming because of your chickens—they’re coming for what the chickens bring with them. And once they’re there, they don’t just sneak in for a quick snack. They can do real harm to your hens, your property, and even your health.
What Attracts Rats to Chicken Coops
There are five main reasons rats show up near your chickens: feed, water, warmth, shelter, and scent. The biggest draw is food. Any leftover feed, dropped pellets, or open bags are basically an open invitation. But it’s not just what’s in the feeder. Crumbs, scratch grain, and treats dropped around the coop add up fast.
Water sources matter too. Rats need to drink, and if you’ve got leaky drinkers, puddles, or uncovered containers, they’ve got easy access. The coop itself offers warmth and shelter—especially in colder months. Add in the smell of eggs or chick feed, and it’s everything a rat could want, all in one place.
How Rats Impact Your Chickens’ Health and Safety
Rats are more than a nuisance—they bring real risks. They can spread diseases like leptospirosis and salmonella, which can affect both chickens and humans. If they get into your feed, they’ll contaminate it with droppings and urine.
But the danger doesn’t stop there. Rats will steal eggs, and if they’re bold enough—or desperate enough—they’ve been known to attack small chicks. Even if they don’t make direct contact, their presence can stress out your flock. Chickens can stop laying, go off food, or act anxious when rats are around.
Signs You Might Have Rats Near the Coop
Sometimes you won’t see rats at all. But you’ll notice the signs. Look for gnawed wood, holes near the coop base, or little tunnels leading under the fencing. Droppings are a giveaway—small, dark, and often clustered near walls or food bins.
Other signs include missing or broken eggs, disturbed bedding, or chew marks on feed bags. If your chickens seem restless at night or stop laying suddenly, it’s worth checking for an unwanted visitor.
How to Make Your Coop Less Inviting
Rats are opportunists. They hang around places where life is easy. If you can remove the reasons they’re turning up, they’ll usually move on to find something simpler. Making your coop less appealing is one of the most important steps you can take.
Store Feed Properly and Cut Off Their Food Supply
Start by securing your feed. Metal bins with tight-fitting lids are one of the best defences. Plastic ones get chewed through, and paper sacks won’t last a night if rats are hungry.
Don’t leave feed out overnight. Remove hanging feeders or seal them tightly once your chickens go in for the evening. Avoid scattering too many treats, especially grain mixes or mealworms, which rats love. Raised feeders help stop food from spilling, and treadle feeders—where the hen has to step on a plate to open access—are a great investment.
Remove Water Sources and Limit Nesting Opportunities
If your drinkers leak, fix them. Check that containers don’t overflow or spill when the chickens nudge them. Rats are quick to notice consistent water sources, and once they find one, they’ll be back night after night.
Shelter is the next thing. Rats will nest in straw piles, under pallets, or inside loose insulation. Keep the area around your coop tidy. Store bedding materials off the ground and away from the coop if you can. Don’t let old buckets, stacked wood, or scrap piles build up near your run—they’re perfect hiding places.
Keep the Area Clean and Well-Lit
Rats prefer quiet, dark places. If you can keep the surroundings clean and bright, you’ll be putting them off. Sweep up leftover feed daily, clear away droppings, and check corners for signs of burrowing.
Installing motion sensor lights around the coop can help. They don’t need to be harsh floodlights—just enough to startle anything lurking in the dark. Rats rely on staying unseen, so anything that disrupts that gives you the upper hand.
Rat-Proofing the Coop and Run
Even if your coop looks solid, rats can get in through surprisingly small gaps. They dig, they chew, and they squeeze through cracks you wouldn’t believe. If you want lasting protection, physical barriers are essential.
Seal Entry Points and Block Burrowing Access
Start with the base. If your coop sits directly on soil or timber, rats can tunnel underneath it. One way to stop this is to set the structure on paving slabs or a concrete base. Alternatively, dig a trench around the perimeter and line it with galvanised hardware cloth (not chicken wire—it’s too flimsy).
Attach this mesh to the base of your coop and extend it down about 12 inches and outward another 6–12 inches, like an L-shape. This blocks burrowing attempts. Patch any holes in wood or mesh with strong materials, and check for chew marks regularly.
Use Rat-Proof Feeders and Automatic Doors
If you’re still using open feeders, now’s the time to upgrade. Treadle feeders are designed to stop access from anything lighter than a hen, making it hard for rats to get in. They also keep the feed sealed when not in use.
Closing the coop door at dusk is also important. Automatic doors can help if you’re not always around—just make sure they shut firmly and can’t be nudged open. If you leave the coop open overnight, rats will take full advantage.
Set Traps Around (But Not Inside) the Coop
If you already have rats nearby, you’ll need to trap them. Avoid putting traps inside the coop—you don’t want to harm your hens or risk them triggering a trap accidentally. Instead, place snap traps or enclosed bait stations along known rat pathways, near tunnels or fence lines.
Bait traps with something high in protein—like peanut butter or sunflower seeds. Always check them daily and reset if needed. Avoid poison where chickens, pets, or wildlife might come into contact with it. It’s rarely worth the risk.
Ongoing Prevention and Monitoring
Getting rid of rats once is great. But keeping them away is what really matters. Regular checks and small habits will make all the difference in keeping your coop a rodent-free zone.
Regular Checks for Burrows and Gnawing
Make it part of your routine to inspect the area around your coop. Look along the base, corners, and fence lines. Burrows often look like small holes in the soil, usually with a smooth entrance. If you spot one, collapse it and watch to see if it reappears.
Check wooden posts, coop frames, and bins for new chew marks. Rats constantly gnaw to keep their teeth in shape, so fresh damage is often a sign they’re back.
Rotate Bait or Deterrents to Avoid Resistance
If you’re using scent-based deterrents like peppermint oil or garlic powder, change things up now and then. Rats are smart—they get used to smells if they stay the same. Move traps occasionally and switch up the bait.
Some people use motion devices or ultrasonic repellents in garages or covered runs. These might not stop a determined rat, but they can add another layer of deterrent.
Work With Neighbours to Reduce Risk in the Area
Rats don’t stay in one place. If they’re in your neighbour’s shed or garden, they could end up in your coop. Talk with nearby property owners if you’ve had sightings. Work together to secure bins, reduce clutter, and trap problem areas.
If you’re in a more rural location, consider asking nearby smallholders if they’ve had issues too. A coordinated approach usually works far better than going it alone.
Our Final Say!
Keeping rats away from your chickens isn’t about one big solution. It’s about doing lots of small things consistently—securing feed, checking for damage, tidying up, and staying alert. Rats are smart, fast, and adaptable. But with the right steps, you’ll stay ahead of them.
A rat-free coop means healthier hens, safer eggs, and less stress for you. It protects your investment, your animals, and your peace of mind. And once you build these habits into your daily routine, you won’t even have to think about it.
Your chickens rely on you for safety. So don’t wait for a full-blown infestation. Act early, stay consistent, and you’ll keep the problem outside—right where it belongs.
