Keeping my chickens safe from predators was an instant priority two nights ago when I happen to check the camera to the run outside and saw a raccoon peeking in through the wire fencing. Initially I thought it was a cat. Then I checked the camera on the opposite side (attached to the outside wall of the coop) and to my shock I could hear scratching and thumping and saw a ton of dust get kicked up. Next, I checked the inside camera and saw my chickens acting startled and on high alert. They were making a low pitch “purring” sound softly, the one that silently tells the flock to stay quiet there’s danger nearby. At this point I couldn’t figure out what was happening, so I looked out the window and there he was! A raccoon on the roof of the coop trying to find a way in. I immediately went outside and scared him away.
My husband and I took a flashlight and inspected all the fencing, doors, gates, windows, and everything associated with the chickens, just to make sure nothing was damaged. A raccoon will decimate flock of chickens without a sparing anyone. I’ve been told they will first wipe out the whole flock, then can come back and eat each one at their leisure. From everything I’ve heard, raccoons are vicious about it and it’s definitely not to be taken lightly when you have a flock of chickens to protect.
Protecting chickens can be simple if you have the right materials. We have a welded steel wire mesh around the entire run.
Our goal was to make sure no predator can get in. Some of the predators around us include hawks, opossum, stray dogs, coyotes, raccoons, and mice. Along the ground of the fence, we have steel mesh a couple feet wide so that a predator can’t dig under the fence to the inside.
The coop is built out of scrap wood, but it’s built to be strong as a house. There are some windows to allow a breeze in the summer, and those have hard wire mesh on them too.
And we installed an automatic chicken run door with a light sensor that closes it automatically when the sun goes down, and re-opens when the sun comes up. This seemed like a good idea to ensure that the chickens are locked in safely at night, just in case an animal figures out how to get into the run while they’re sleeping.
Ideas to Keep Predators Away
If I was asked what the best way to predator proof your chicken run and coop is, I would say build and reinforce as if a giant grizzly bear was trying to break in. Because unfortunately, chickens are on everyone’s “menu”. Everyone from weasels, hawks, to dogs seem to want to eat chickens and their eggs. YouTube has a ton of videos of predators breaking into coop to get at the chickens. Some predators, like fox and raccoons, will spend a long time trying to get in. They don’t give up easily.
I would also recommend putting a motion activated light and or an alarm that has sound to act as a deterrent. And having a dog can help if you can walk him around the area to do his “duty”. Pack animals like dogs, coyotes and fox might not go into the area that your dog is marking with his scent. If you don’t have a dog, you might try coyote urine. It is said to get rid of smaller pests like rabbits and skunks.
The method is simple; apply it to a cloth or cotton balls and leave it around the area you want to keep pests out of. The pests will smell it and think they’re in danger of encountering a coyote and leave the area. The downside to this trick is that the urine oxidizes fairly quickly when exposed to the oxygen in the air and the smell will then dissipate. So, you have to reapply often for it to be effective.
I have also heard of men going outside and “marking” the area with their own urine. Which sounds nasty, but it does make sense because many animals avoid humans. It’s not something we have tried, but I have seen it mentioned on social media in various chicken groups.
One of the best ways to keep animals from coming around at night is to remove ALL open food from the area. This is just so important. Most animals come out at night for the same thing…. FOOD! You should most certainly go out at night and remove any left-over food or cover it until morning. Otherwise, you’ll attract all the mice, chipmunks, and rats into your area. Mice and rats can bring a lot of disease with them, and they’re hard to get rid of once they show up. Prevention is much easier. I personally got tired of going out at night to cover food, and back out in the morning to open it, so I got a couple treadle feeders.
These feeders require at least a 2+ pound chicken to step onto the pedal to open the lid. The lid stays open as long as they are standing on the pedal and then closes when they step away. The Grandpa’s Feeders brand is worth it. It keeps the food dry on rainy days, hold 20 pounds of feed, it is spill-proof, and mice/rat proof. It checks all the boxes for me.
To summarize, use strong material to ward off the strongest animal you can think of, as well as the smallest (weasels can sneak through the tiniest opening). Find ways to keep predators out of your area in the first place. And make sure there is no food sitting out all night tempting the critters to find their way in.
I hope this page is helpful. Happy chicken keeping!
Great. What about snakes! And where do I get the coyote urine?
Hi Lou,
I am fortunate enough to not have snakes in my area. I would think a quarter inch mesh should help to keep the snake out. Coyote urine can be found at places like Bass Pro Shop, Tractor Supply, Blain’s Farm & Fleet, Ace Hardware, etc. You could probably to an internet search to find it near you. You can even order some on Amazon. I hope this helps.