07/13/2026
Rodents are often active long before you ever see one.
If you keep backyard chickens, now is a good time to take a walk around your coop and property. Early detection can prevent bigger problems later.
Look for these common signs of rodent activity:
• Small, dark droppings around feeders, coops, or feed storage.
• Gnaw marks on wood, plastic, feed bags, or electrical wiring.
• Burrows or holes under sheds, foundations, concrete slabs, or around the coop.
• Feed scattered on the ground or signs that feed is disappearing faster than normal.
• Shredded grass, straw, paper, or insulation used for nesting.
• Well-worn paths through tall grass or along fences.
• Noises in walls, under floors, or in the coop after dark.
• Unusual behavior from your chickens, especially at dusk or during the night.
Rodents don’t just eat feed. They contaminate it with urine and droppings, spread disease, damage buildings and wiring, and their populations can grow surprisingly fast if left unchecked.
A few minutes spent inspecting your property today can help protect your flock tomorrow.
Awareness today. Prevention tomorrow.