Controlling Rodent Population in Your Chicken Yard

Keeping chickens can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it also comes with challenges. One of the biggest issues many chicken owners face is managing the rodent population that can invade their yard. These pesky creatures pose risks, from stealing food to spreading diseases among your flock. But fear not! With the right strategies in place, you can effectively keep the rodent population under control in your chicken yard.

Understanding the Rodent Problem

To tackle the rodent issue, it's essential to understand why they are attracted to your chicken yard. Chickens commonly scatter their feed, leaving bits on the ground. According to a study, this scattered food can attract rodents by up to 87%. Additionally, nests made from bedding or debris create cozy homes for these critters.

By recognizing these factors, you can take proactive steps to deter rodents from making your space their residence.

PROBLEMS RODENTS CAUSE:

*they eat chicken feed

*they eat eggs and baby chicks (rats)

*they contaminate feed, water and coops with droppings, urine and hair

*they are carriers of lice, mites, fleas and other parasites

*they can transmit an estimated 50 possible diseases, not the least of which is salmonella (fleas carried by rats were responsible for killing an estimated 100,000 people in the Great Plague of London* in 1665)

*they can damage yards by burrowing, coops and electrical wires by chewing

*they can injure chickens (rats are capable of chewing toes off roosting birds at night)

*they create stress for chickens, which often results in a drop in egg production

Cleanliness is Key

One of the most effective ways to control rodent populations is by maintaining a clean environment. This is accomplished by control strategies:

*Do not keep chicken feed inside the coop

*Remove or securely cover feeders at night

*Modify feeders to prevent beaking-out of feed. Adding dividers or chicken wire to the base of the feeder can accomplish this objective.

*Clean up spilled feed. If chickens beak-out food onto the floor from the feeder, clean it up before nightfall when nocturnal creatures are active. Purchase feed pellets instead of crumbles they are more difficult to beak-out and easier to clean up than crumbles

*Use a treadle plate feeder (Grampas Feeder), which requires the chicken's weight standing on a petal to open it.

The Grampa's Feeder is definitely not inexpensive but it will pay for itself with the money you save on food waste.

We were experiencing rodent issues here on our ranch, especially since we have a barn and multiple out-buildings. We tried traps in different areas that were not accessible by the chickens. It didn't work out so well as, we needed to stop making the food available to them. This feeder is the answer to all your rodent problems, as long as you remove other foods at the end of the day that is not in the feeder.

There are "knock-offs" available. They are ok. I had bought a knock-off in the past but we are not currently using it. The Grampa's Feeder is a sturdier, better quality feeder and if you're going to invest your money with an item you want to last. My money is on Grampa's Feeder because in the end, the cheap comes out expensive.

Remove Food Sources

Ensure that all chicken food is stored in airtight containers. Leaving feed bags open or using flimsy storage can create an invitation for rodents. For example, if you have a 50-pound feed bag, transferring the feed into a sturdy, sealed bin can prevent spills and odors that attract them.

Dispose of Waste Properly

Chickens produce waste that can attract rodents. Regularly clean your coop and yard of droppings and uneaten food scraps. A clean chicken yard not only prevents rodents but also promotes the health of your flock. In fact, proper waste management can reduce the risk of attracting rodents by up to 70%.

ELIMINATE EASILY ACCESSIBLE WATER SOURCES

Rodents will walk through and drink from traditional waterers, contaminating them with their waste and disease-carrying mouths, feet, fur. Remove traditional waterers at night or, better yet, switch to waterers like an All Season Poultry Nipple Drinker and keep the chickens' water supply disease-free.

Premier One Heated Poultry Nipple Drinker is currently "Out of Stock." It generally comes back in stock after the winter season. (They always sell out in winter, that must tell you something about the quality of the product.)

Secure Your Coop

A well-secured coop serves as the first line of defense against rodents.

*Install hardware cloth around the coop and run to prevent access by predators and pests.

*Install the hardware cloth about 12" out from the run, on the ground like a skirt. Cover over with soil or gravel

Fortify Entry Points

Inspect your coop for any potential entry points. Rodents can squeeze through openings as small as a quarter. Repair any holes and consider using materials like metal mesh to cover openings. Close off spaces around doors and windows to prevent access.

Elevate Your Coop

Elevating your chicken coop can deter rodents from nesting underneath it. Building your coop on a platform or using blocks to raise it off the ground can discourage rodents and also make maintenance easier. A height of at least 12 inches above ground level can be quite effective.

Smart Feeding Practices

How you feed your chickens can either attract or deter rodents.

Use of a Grampa's Feeder

Opt for feeders designed to minimize spillage. A Grampa's Feeder is the best way to keep the rodent population down and out. Using enclosed feeders can reduce food quantity displaced on the ground by as much as 90%. The chickens have to access the feed by stepping on the plate to open the lid. Their is a training program for your chickens, as chickens are prey animals and do not like change. But once they are trained to use it, less food waste from both the chickens beaking it out on the ground and the rodents coming in to clean it up, the Grampa's Feeder will pay for itself!

Do not Schedule Feed Your Chickens

Feeding your chickens at set times can limit their access to food, making it less appealing to rodents. But chickens are grazers and have to eat in small increments all day long. as that is how their digestive tract is set up so this is not an ideal solution as if affects your flocks health.

Introduce Barn Cats

If suitable for your lifestyle, consider adopting a barn cat. Cats are natural hunters and can significantly decrease rodent populations. Research shows that one barn cat can control rodents in areas up to 2 acres if they have the right environment. Ensure they coexist peacefully with your chickens.

Use Dogs

Certain dog breeds are great for hunting. If you have a friendly dog that enjoys roaming, they can serve as a deterrent to rodents. Breeds like terriers and beagles have strong hunting instincts and can help keep your yard rodent-free. But this also has it's drawbacks, as now there is a possibility you can not free-range your chickens, especially if the dog has a high prey-drive.

Employing Traps and Baits

Using traps and baits can provide quick results, especially if you have an ongoing rodent issue. But not always the safest or a best practice.

An old fashioned mixture of equal parts cornmeal and plaster of Paris kills rodents without toxic chemicals, but would need to be placed where chickens cannot eat it. Once eaten by the rodents, it hardens in their stomachs, killing them.

Check for Signs

Regularly inspect your yard and coop for signs of rodent activity. Look for droppings, gnaw marks, or burrows and address any issues immediately. Keeping a checklist of what to look for during inspections can streamline your efforts.

Seasonal Adjustments

During colder months, rodents may become more active in search of warmth. Increase vigilance during these times and implement additional measures if necessary. For example, adding insulation or sealing cracks in your coop can keep pests out as temperatures drop.

Keeping Your Chicken Yard Safe

Controlling the rodent population in your chicken yard does not need to feel overwhelming. By maintaining cleanliness, securing your coop, employing smart feeding practices, you can create a less inviting environment for these pests.

With a proactive approach and regular monitoring, your chicken yard can be a safe, healthy space for your flock to thrive. Take action now to enjoy a rodent-free chicken-keeping experience!

Grampa's Feeder- The best and easiest way to deter rodents.

Premier One Supplies- Best quality Heated Poultry Nipple Drinker for keeping water 100% clean all day, every day.