Im designing my first coop and wondering if chicken wire will keep rats out. If so what size mesh and does it need to be buried at the base?
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Im designing my first coop and wondering if chicken wire will keep rats out. If so what size mesh and does it need to be buried at the base?
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My friend Ben's chooks chase the rats @ their place, they free-range in the backyard. I (nearly)have a coop off the ground & hope that keeps the rats out of the house.. I figure my chooks, when i get them, will chase the rats off.. I do poison as well, but not in the area i'm going to keep the chooks.Have heard that they can't climb up metal or plastic, so maybe wrapping any up-struts with those will work. I have heard you need to bury wire under ground to stop rats & dogs.
Was talking to a guy the other day who has his compost bins (the wooden homebuilt ones), in his chook run & said his chooks love 'playing' in the heap, thought that was a great idea, might try it...
I havent had any trouble with rats so far, a friend said he had rats (due to compost heap etc) but they never troubled/attacked the chickens. (he poisoned them)
Thanks Rudi. The chicken seller said rats steal the eggs but dont attack the chickens. I remember they can chew through lead pipes so wood wont stop them - not sure about chicken mesh though. I suppose a bait trap would make their eyes water.