Rats in chickens – This time of year (Winter) when the weather is cold and wet and there’s not an abundance of wild food, rats will be on the search for a warm dry place to nest and a plentiful food source.
Chicken pens are a prime example of this, usually a shed or coop that the rats can dig under to make their burrows to nest in, there is also plenty of food left by the chickens if the feed isn’t controlled properly. Rats will also take the chickens eggs and even kill the chickens.
It is essential that you only feed the chickens enough for them to eat it all and not leave feeders full of seed over night, and keep a close eye on the pen for signs of rat runs or burrows.
DKG Pest Control Blog 