About a month ago, I noticed some strange things happening in the coop. Things moved and missing; random holes and piles of gravel started to appear. I thought maybe I had another mole. Until one night I saw it, bold as bold can be – I have a RAT. OMG, a RAT!

I’ve had mice, moles, chipmunks, weasels, groundhogs and foxes (plus those darn squirrel guests) in my coop over the years but never something as gross as a dirty old cussing rat.

There are so many holes and tunnels it’s like any day I’ll walk into the coop and see the Jareth standing there, in all his glory, because of the Labyrinth beneath us! I’m actually shocked that rats can dig so well! He sure is making a mess around here.

The chickens don’t seem to mind this intruder, but “rodents will not only eat chicken feed and contaminate it with their dropping they can also carry fleas, ticks, mites and lice, will kill baby chicks, eat eggs, chew wires and wood, even chew on sleeping chickens’ feet and pull out their feathers” says Lisa of my favourite chicken website FreshEggsDaily.com

Since Halle is in the house for the winter, the hunt is on to catch the damn thing! And so far I’ve been unsuccessful!

A plan to help stop this from happening again is being mastered and put in-place between now and spring. Here’s a website I’ll reference to do just that: https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2012/10/not-creature-was-stirring-got-mice-in.html

And aside from catching the little bugger (oh my goodness, I hope there’s just one!) I plan on trying out a natural repellent: https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2012/10/lavender-mint-coop-refresh-spray.html

So wish me luck in my endeavour! War paint on, haha. Janet vs the rat!