Rats and Chickens

[tyrrellh]

Can I keep a rat rack in a chicken coop or would that cause problems? Im going to build a rack and that would be the easiest place for them to go and minimize smell. If that wouldnt work I could always put them in my shed.

[Tfpets]

I don't know for sure there would or wouldn't be an issue, but having chickens myself I know they carry and pick up alot of mites and parasites. I don't know if any of them would transfer to rodents but it might be a good thing to research.

[wolfy-hound]

Heat, dust and parasites might be an issue in a chicken coop. Plus, the chickens will probably knock the water loose, eat feed on the racks and possibly stress out breeding rats by flapping, cackling and jumping on/around the rack.

[Rhasputin]

I have a friend who has chickens that roam free, and had access to the shed outside where the rats are kept. They peck toes off of the rats, and cause a lot of injuries.

No good.

Plus they'll try to eat the rat food. . . Poop on the rack, who knows what else.

[Lupe]

I think there would only be 2 good things about them being kept in the chicken coop. 1: No smell and 2: the chickens (if they are like my uncles) will kill any rats that get loose.
But with what everyone else said (too hot, stressful, etc.) it doesn't sound like a good idea.

[JohnNJ]

Chickens get mites and parasites? My wife's friend keeps chickens in her yard and the kids play with them. I have picked them up a few time. Any of these things jump on to humans or dogs/cats?

[tyrrellh]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Now Im thinking of keeping them in a room built in the shed is there precautions I should use if I was gonna use the 2 males 12 females in a 10x14 room with a window with an opening about 2'x3'? Maybe a fan for smell and hear control. I dont know if this would be enough of a vent?

[omnibus2]

One is going to start eating the other.

[wolfy-hound]

Chickens definitely can get parasites, and mites. Some are not species specific.