Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[knittingmama]

Have got my ladies at last! Daisy and Rosie are settling in nicely.

At the hen supplier today I mentioned my worry about rats, as when our garden shed was being installed yesterday I saw one running along the fence. I'm sure there are loads behind the shed, which is next to the run. The woman at the suppliers said I could put a small hopper inside the eglu go to cut down on the chances of food going everywhere and attracting the rats. At the moment it's in there and there is room for it as I only got 2 hens. Do you think I can leave it in there or should I take it out at night? Would prefer to leave it as its one less thing to do...

 

[gavclojak]

I have a large storage container where i store everything 'chicken' and when I put the girls to bed,I refil then lock all the food containers away,I empty the water container then refill them and leave by my back door ready for the morning if you were to get rats you want to keep them as faw away from the girls anyway.x hope you enjoy your ladies xx

[sjp]

putting it in the coop will encourage the girls to spend to much time indoors and I can't see it stopping rats IF you get them best option is to hang the feeder up during the day and bring it in at night that's when rats are most active. then IF you do get rats then put a bait box with rat bait out of reach of the chickens that's the best option for dealing with rats

it's unusual to see a rat running along the top of a fence as it's far to exposed for them

[knittingmama]

Gav- is the container where you keep everything metal or plastic?