So I should preface this by saying that I live and have chickens in a suburban backyard in an area where rats are uncommon.
Over the last week I've killed 7 rats, 5 adult 2 juvenile. I had no idea I had rats until I caught the first one. The remaining rats are now very trap shy. Last night I put out a game cam on bait and only picked up one very big rat. What are the odds that that is the only rat left?
Any advise?
How do you all estimate how many there are left after initial trapping efforts?
Tonight I put out a 110 mink box full of corn and made a flat set with a 1 1/2 Longspring to hopefully get that big pos

They say if you see one you have 10, whoever "they"are, lol
good luck with whats left....I usually give them their special k breakfast bars....

I do the same , put out a game cam to get an estimate how many there is .
I use number one !ongsprings and blind set . Set them bedded solid and covered and blended.
I don't like baited sets for rats they seem to catch on quick and become harder to catch with bait .
Its a never ending battle it seems , they come in you wipe em out 3_4 months later it starts all over again .
Chickens just seem to bring rats .

I've heard they multiply like rats.

Dealing with rats may be #1 issue discussed on backyard chicken predator forum. May outrank coons and neighbors dogs as biggest problems for people keeping chickens.

Anyway, turns out rats are not attracted to chickens as much as they are to chicken feed. If they have free access to the feed, they do well. Best solution seems to be a rat proof chicken feeder. This is the best one known so far. Made by a guy in Oklahoma. Eliminate the food source and they move on or starve. Also makes them more likely to try bait blocks or take chances with a baited trap.

Never had to deal with rats, but always thought a well tuned, baited 110 body grip would work......especially for the big ones.

https://ratproofchickenfeeder.com/medium-ratproof-chicken-feeder_p_1.html

Had them set up under the dog shed and concrete pad once (eating dog food). A poisonous smoke type bomb lit, put in the hole, and plugged did the trick. Rodent smoke bomb.