Avoiding rat problems

[paint it green]

Hello All - New to the forum and fairly new to crop growing, although the misses does most of the growing!

We have just built some raised beds in a landscaped area that was previously a "wood" if you want to sound romantic or a scrubby briar patch if you are more realistic.

We have yet to build our compost heap and we also want to get some chooks in the new year, but I am concerned about rats as they were seen in the area before it was landscaped.

Anything I should do in placing the compost heap /chickens to avoid creating a rat shopping centre?

Cheers

[Thomzo]

Hi and welcome.

For the chickens, it's really important to keep the food somewhere the rats can't get at it. A metal bin with a well fitting lid is ideal, they'll gnaw through a plastic one.

Also, allow the chickens access under the hen house if you can. They'll soon make short work of any mice or rats that make the mistake of living under there. Keep a good watch over the hen house and make sure you repair any holes as soon as they appear so the rats can't get in at night.

Putting food down on the floor of the run is also a way of attracting mice and rats. But I found it was ok as long as the chickens ate the lot during the day.

Zoe

[paint it green]

Thanks for the suggestions!

[battybird]

Welcome to ish! I am sure if you follow the suggestions there will be very few problems...there are always rats and mice around, just dont want them concentrating on your plot! Good luck