First Rat Problem

Neighbor just pulled us out into the garden and told us that him and a couple of friends had witnessed a rat scurry across their garden, our garden and then into the other garden next to us. We're worried now, for our chickens, so could any of you advise me on how to solve the problem and get rid of the rat humanely?

Runs well secure, will take your suggestions into account

I just bought 2 new rat traps from fleabay. They seemed a bit weak, and sure enough they snapped down on the rats and were carried off up the garden where the b*****s wriggled out of them. We have poison down too, but whether you have chickens or not there will always be rats about.

Be very careful with the poison that no other animal or child can get to it.  You need to be careful that pets and chickens don't eat vermin that has been poisoned.  Owls and birds of prey can also die if they eat poisoned vermin.   

Our neighbour was nasty and very shouty with us and called out the council. The problem was solved by the council in a very efficient way (good). Our neighbour does not speak to us any more (good). Unfortunately we have received a bill from the council of £32 for the call out even though we didnt call them (never mind). The good thing is that the rats are gone from here and next door and according to the rat man, we get to keep all the poison blocks "until the next time". He knew where to put them safe from other animals and pets, so maybe the council is a good idea.