Starting out with chickens can be both exciting and challenging, especially when it comes to keeping them safe from predators. Like many new chicken owners, you might be worried about how to protect your flock.
I’ve had some close calls myself in my first year of raising chickens. Today, I want to talk about proven tips for predator-proofing your chicken coop to help you keep your chickens safe and secure.
Predators
Chickens are vulnerable to a lot of different predators, each posing unique threats to your flock.
Foxes
Foxes are clever and agile, and they can be found even in very urban neighbourhoods, making them a constant threat to chickens. They are primarily nocturnal but can hunt during the day if they’re particularly hungry.
Secure your coop and run with strong, durable materials like wire mesh rather than chicken wire, which can be chewed through. Make sure your coop is locked at night and has solid flooring that can’t be dug under. It’s also a good idea to bury the edges of your run’s fencing to stop foxes from tunnelling their way in.
Cats
While a full-grown chicken is generally too large for a cat, I’ve had several neighbourhood cats attack my adult chickens on multiple occasions. It really comes down to the temperament of the cat. Some cats may attack just for the sport of it, and younger chickens are definitely more vulnerable.
Installing a secure fence around the chicken run can help keep cats out. If you have a dog, letting them roam your yard will definitely deter cats. Since cats are excellent climbers, I decided to put a roof over my run with simple chicken wire.
I’m aiming for simple deterrence, and enclosing your run in chicken wire is a straightforward way to keep cats from getting in.
Dogs
Dogs can be dangerous to chickens because they often love to chase anything that moves. They can easily injure or even kill chickens. While dogs aren’t as agile as foxes, they have more strength and can break through less secure materials.
Make sure your coop and run are made of stronger materials, and test the structure by pushing on it yourself to see if anything comes loose. Like with foxes, using solid flooring and burying your fencing will help prevent digging and keep your chickens safe.
Snakes
Though quite rare, snakes can be very difficult to control. If your chickens are kept near bushy areas, they’re more likely to be attacked.
Snakes don’t like to travel through low, open areas, so keeping the grass short and eliminating hiding spots around the coop can help reduce the chances of snake encounters. Use hardware cloth with small mesh sizes to prevent snakes from entering the coop and make sure there are no small gaps.
Though I haven’t tested it myself, one supposedly effective measure is using battery-operated devices that send shockwaves through the ground, frightening the snake away. Check your local stores to see if something like that is available.
Birds of Prey
If your chickens roam in open areas, they will be susceptible to birds of prey. Hawks and eagles can swoop down and carry off smaller chickens.
Providing covered runs or using poultry netting can protect your chickens from aerial attacks. Adding reflective objects like CDs or bird deterrent tape around the coop can also help to scare away birds of prey.
While these are common predators in my area, you might have local knowledge about predators specific to your area.
How to Secure a Chicken Coop/Run From Predators
While there are many different threats to chickens, there are also a number of effective ways to keep them safe.
1. Lock the Coop at Night
Locking the coop at night is the simplest and most effective way to protect your chickens from predators. Even the best security measures are useless if the door isn’t closed. Make it a habit to lock the coop every evening to ensure your flock is safe when they’re most vulnerable.
I converted an old shed into a coop which is nice and secure and provides good protection from the weather.
2. Secure Latches
Using secure latches is crucial for keeping predators out. Some animals, like raccoons, can be pretty good at opening simple latches. Ideally you want latches that require opposable thumbs to use and place them at a height that’s out of reach for most animals.
3. Install an Automatic Door
An automatic door can help ensure your coop is always securely closed at night, even when you’re not around. These doors can be set to open and close at specific times or in response to daylight, providing a reliable way to lock up your chickens every night without fail.
4. Train Your Chickens to Return to the Coop
Chickens aren’t the smartest animals, and it may take some time for them to learn where to roost for the night. To help them learn, manually put them into the coop at dusk for the first few days. With some consistency, they will learn to return on their own when the sun sets, so you won’t have to go chasing them into the coop.
5. Use Strong Wire Mesh
While chicken wire is good at keeping chickens in, it’s not strong enough to keep determined predators out. Instead, use a strong, hard wire mesh, particularly around the bottom of the coop and run, where predators are most likely to try to to get in.
This type of mesh is much harder for animals to chew through or push aside.
6. Bury or Apron the Edges
To prevent predators from digging under your coop or run, it’s important to bury the fencing several inches into the ground or create an apron—a horizontal extension of the fencing like an L shape.
7. Ensure Secure Flooring
If possible, use solid flooring like concrete or bricks in your coop. This provides a strong barrier against predators trying to burrow up into the coop. If concrete isn’t an option, consider placing wire mesh under the flooring to make it more difficult for predators to tunnel through.
8. Elevate the Roosting Area
Chickens naturally prefer to roost in high places where they feel safer from predators. Ensure that the roosting bars are elevated and positioned in a way that makes them difficult for predators to reach.
9. Install Motion Sensor Lights
Motion sensor lights are effective against predators, much like they are with human intruders. The sudden light can startle animals and make them think twice about approaching your coop. Additionally, these lights can alert you to any furry intruders, giving you the chance to check on your coop.
10. Set Up Cameras
Cameras are great for monitoring your coop. They let you identify how predators might be getting access, and checking the footage can help you fix any vulnerabilities.
11. Consider Guardian Animals
If you in a more rural area, livestock guardian animals like dogs, geese, or even donkeys can be highly effective at protecting your flock. These animals are known for their protective instincts and can help deter predators from approaching your coop. In suburban areas, a dog will definitely deter predators.
12. Regularly Inspect for Gaps
After you’ve built your coop and run, it’s a good idea to regularly inspect for gaps or weaknesses. Thoroughly check all areas, shake and probe the setup, and make sure everything is secure. Over time, things can shift or wear down, creating new weaknesses, so keep that in mind when deciding how often you want to inspect your setup.
13. Install Electric Fencing
Electric fencing can add an additional layer of protection around your coop and run. A mild electric shock can effectively deter predators like raccoons, foxes, and larger animals from attempting to breach the perimeter. This method is particularly useful for areas where predators are persistent or aggressive.
14. Lock Away Food Sources
Predators are often drawn to the smell of food, so it’s essential to securely store chicken feed and other food sources. Use containers with tight-fitting lids to prevent animals from being attracted to your coop. Additionally, clean up any spilled feed regularly to avoid luring predators to the area.
Conclusion
Starting out with chickens is a lot of fun, but protecting them from predators is essential for their safety and your peace of mind. While there are many ways to keep your flock safe, focusing on the basics—such as solid flooring, durable mesh fencing, and locking the coop at night—will often be more than enough to keep them secure.
Feel free to share how you keep your chickens safe and what works well for you.
