Fact-checked against 2 sources · Updated 20 September 2026On this page
Why coops and allotments attract rats
Rats need food, water and shelter. A chicken coop provides feed and eggs, allotments provide crops, compost and water butts, and sheds and raised beds give shelter. That is why rat problems so often start on allotments and in back-garden coops around Newark-on-Trent, particularly near rivers and open land.
Feed: the single biggest fix
The government’s code of practice for rodent control on poultry farms, written for commercial units but useful for small flocks, emphasises preventing rodents getting at food:
- Clear spilt feed promptly and don’t leave it on the ground overnight.
- Store feed in sealed containers such as metal or thick plastic bins with tight lids.
- Feed in the morning, use feeders that don’t spill, and remove leftovers before dusk.
- Collect eggs daily and clear broken eggs straight away.
Build and proof the coop
- Use strong mesh with small openings. Rats can get through a gap of about 15mm (BPCA), so openings need to be well under that. Cover vents and windows too.
- Protect the floor. Rats burrow, so extend mesh under and outward from the base, or raise the coop on a solid base.
- Add kick plates to door edges and fill gaps around services and poles. The government code lists kick plates and sealing gaps around services among its proofing measures.
- Keep the run tidy: no clutter or piles of materials for rats to nest under.
Sheds and stores
- Keep the base of the shed clear, and block gaps under the floor with mesh.
- Store seed, bulbs, compost and animal feed in sealed containers, not open bags.
- Don’t stack materials against shed walls.
Compost heaps, water and crops
- Compost: the BPCA advises protecting compost with wire mesh to prevent rodents digging a harbourage, keeping compost areas well sealed and a good distance from your property, and keeping cooked food out.
- Water: use covered water butts and fix leaks.
- Crops: harvest promptly, clear fallen produce and don’t leave rotting crops.
- Bird food: use feeders with seed trays and take in feed at dusk in areas with rats.
Watch and record
The government code recommends regular inspections, including at night with a torch, and keeping a record of sightings and activity. On a small plot, that can be a notebook: dates, where you saw droppings, burrows or gnawing, and what you did. Fresh burrows, droppings and gnawing are your early warning.
If rats are already there
Don’t scatter poison, especially where chickens, pets or wildlife have access. Tamper-resistant stations used by a professional are safer, and the code notes that operators must follow product labels and use only approved products. See our guide to rat poison and garden rat control. If you rent an allotment, tell the site committee, as rats affect neighbouring plots.
Coops and allotments: common questions
Will rats hurt my chickens?
Rats mostly go for feed and eggs, and can harm chicks and young birds. They also spread disease and contaminate feed, so control matters for both health and cost.
How can I tell if rats are in the coop?
Look for droppings, gnawed feed sacks or eggs, burrows around the base and greasy smear marks. Rats are most active at night, so signs are often more obvious than the animals.
Is it safe to use rat poison near chickens?
Only in tamper-resistant stations that chickens and wildlife can’t reach, used according to the label, and ideally by a professional. Otherwise use proofing and traps in covered boxes.
Sources and further reading
Facts on this page were checked against the sources above on 20 September 2026. Laws, prices and council services change, so check the current position before relying on them.
This site connects households and businesses in the Newark-on-Trent area with an independent local rat-control technician. We are not the servicing contractor and do not carry out treatment ourselves. See our terms & disclosure.