[Btrobe]

One of my Black Rock's left us 4 weeks ago - I thought she had been taken by a fox - however she has come back with three tiny chicks. I think we have them safe and well in a second had greenhouse we've just bought (hadn't put the glass in yet). We've put chicken wire around it and they are in a small hut inside lined with straw but have the space to roam in the greenhouse area. She seems to be a very good mother and looks after them well. The things I'm worried about are, 1.  Is it so late in the year that they may not survive the winter? 2.  We've seen a rat around over the last few days, could it attack them? (I've put a rat box out with poison in that the other hens can't get to). Any advice would be very useful. I tried to attach a photo but it's too large.

[doganjo]

If your chicken wire is the small size type and is buried into the ground around the greenhouse the rat won't be able to dig under.  It will otherwise.  Make sure all fastenings are secure too.  If they have lots of straw they'll be cosy enough.  They have enough space to over winter in there too

[Btrobe]

Thanks for the advice. I feel more confident now.

[harry]

you will be amazed how small a hole a rat can get through,, also they can bite through ordinary chicken wire, got to be 1/2" gauge and thick, wire the floor and roof as well, got to be a wire cube really to keep a rat out.

[CameronS]

Make sure the rats can't climb over it!!