Perhaps it is a bit of a misnomer to call these beautiful and wild animals enemies, but it is important for you to be aware of the fact that they can and will harm your flock if given the opportunity. One of key things to know is that simply keeping chickens does not attracts predators to your yard. It is the way that you house and tend to them that does. Therefore, it is important to try and develop good habits, especially when it comes to coop maintenance, feeding practices, and locking them up at night. Most predators are in fact lazy and if they can’t gain access to your flock quickly, they give up and seek out other sources of food that are not difficult to access. Predators usually hang around if they believe they can easily obtain food.
Photo Credit |
No matter where you live in the country, even in the city, you should get to know your local predators. A good place to start is with your state’s Department of Wildlife. Once you know who the local predators are, you can do some research. Start asking questions. Do they fly? Do they dig? Can they squeeze through small holes? Do they come out in the day, night or both? From there, take precautions.
Chicken Predators
Coyotes
Wolves
Raccoon
Weasel/Mink
Badgers
Bear
Bobcats
Fisher Cats
Fox
Opossum
Snakes- eggs and chicks
Skunks- eggs and chicks
Birds of Prey-hawks and owls
Mountain Lions
Dogs
Cats
People- chicken theft
Rats/Mice- spread disease
Mites/Lice/Ticks- can kill birds if populations are large enough
Photo Credit |
How do predators gain access to chicken coops/runs?
From the sky
From digging
Brute force
Outsmarting locks
What makes your chickens vulnerable?
Free-ranging
Uncovered runs
Access holes into coops and runs
Keeping the flock unlocked in the evening
Leaving food and water in the run outside
Unclean coop and run
The use of chicken wire
Photo Credit |
What can you do?
Inspect and make repairs to the coop or run where access is breached.
Cover the top of the run to keep animals out.
Remove food and water from the run at night.
Harvest eggs frequently.
Keep a rooster.
Limit free-ranging or try to supervise it.
Hang old CDs or repellent tape near the coop to deter hawks.
Use motion sensing lights near the coop.
Lock up your flock each and every night.
Add two to three foot wide hardware cloth apron around the run to deter digging animals.
Use predator proof locks. If a two year old can open the lock, so can a raccoon.
Train the family dog.
Keep chicken feed stored in covered metal bins.
Treat your flock for parasites.
Check out motion activated sprinklers.
Install electric fencing for larger predators.
Replace chicken wire with hardware cloth.
Try adding Nite Guard Solar blinking lights to your coop to mimic predator eyes.
302 Comments
I use poultry netting. Apparently I should be using hardware cloth. I have never heard of it. What is hardware cloth?
I use a fan placed outside the pen to keep my girls cool.I keep it about 5 feet from the pen.I also put ice in the water.
This is funny how i have a predator protecting my chickens… im being serious my dog loves my chickens and hangs with them. my cat is scared of chickens but my chickens are scared of the cat.
Here in Southern Vermont we have everything from bears to fisher cats but locally I see our biggest threat as Coyotes, red fox, and something else (raccoon, weasel or ???) When first getting my flock started I bought 6 pullets, kept them in a barn stall (15’x15″) with chicken wire plus I dug and buried wire cloth 18 inches deep under the stall door……oh boy was I wrong. That worked until the predators found out they were there and in one night something (I still don’t know what it was) dug under the stall wall and stole 4 of my 6 chickens all in one night! Just a few feathers remained and two really scared survivors up high. The took the entire chickens and all. I found another hole under a barn wall as well which later I set live box traps and only catch skunks (which is not fun)!
The next weekend I went to make a more secure coop that any bank security would be proud of, buried two layers of chicken wire and covered it with plywood, then a foot of dirt and normal bedding; wire cloth everywhere else and even a “panic roost” up high! I never had another incident since then but occasionally I still catch a darn skunk! The additional outside access to a chicken run is enclosed but on ground level and they’re brought in every evening.
Many years ago my dad’s chickens were killed by neighboring dogs, and weasels.
I am brand new at all this and getting my first baby orps at the end of the month and trying to win all the free stuff I can! I see hawks all the time and we have many snakes, owls, foxes and coyotes in the area. We live on 6+ acres of wooded land.
PhyllisAdelle Sherer in SC
phyllisasherer@aol.com
Coyotes!
Mink just got 6 of my chicks. We have racoon, coyotes, fox, hawks, owls, skunks (one less now)- the list goes on……
In the past, I have lost chickens to: a dog, raccoon, and some tiny unknown creature(s) which can fit in a one-inch space between doors (weasel, mink, fisher cat???). [I still don’t know if opossums actually kill chickens, but with those teeth, I was glad I chased that one out of the nest box where it was snuggling one snowy winter night.] With each loss, I realized the extent of predatory wild animals in my city neighborhood, and understand there may be some I’m not aware of.
We’d like to keep rats out of our urban chicken area
Nearly everything is a chicken predator. Vigilance is the key. Skunks will dig under fence. Hawks, crows, owls will fly into an open top pen. I would like to win these preventative tools to enhance my security.
Coyotes, Wolves, Raccoon, Bear, Fox, Opossum, Birds of Prey-hawks and owls
Mountain Lions, Dogs, Cats, Skunks, Rats, Mice.
raccoons, skunks, possums, foxes, coyotes
hawks, raccoons, skunks and fox…
Snakes, hawks, coyotes, raccoons, rats, possums, skunks and all the other predators.
Snakes, hawks, coyotes
Raccoons, possums, and minks.
Hawks, mice & rats
Hawks, I had one inside the coop last year, he was stuck. Racoons and skunks. Rats and mice.
Coyote, fox, racoons, opposum, skunks, you name it we have it
I have trouble with all kinds of predators. Our farm was 2 creeks that feed into our 7 acre farm pond, so it attracts everything! The last 2 animals I trapped and killed were 2 minks!
We owls, hawks, bear, and ferrets. Last fall we lost 4 ducks and 1 chicken. We couldn’t figure out what it was because the ate the head and left the body. Then one evening we walked out to find an owl sitting on one of our ducks. Head gone! Now we have them double fenced with fencing over the top. So much for free range!
Neighborhood stray cats.
Raccoons, snakes, opossums, coyotes, neighboring loudmouth dogs, wild cats, hawks…
Snakes
fox,coyotes,fishers
Bobcats, racoons, Fox, hawks, eagles, owls, weasels, skunks, rats, cayotes, deer. There are probably more that I am not aware of yet, as we are new to the area.
You name it and I’ve pretty much got it. I have several fox, hundreds of coyote, some raccoon, hawks, possums, dogs and even some cats. Not to mention the huge bobcat that I can’t get a bead on. I could use several of these.
Owls, just before sundown. raccoons and possums
Foxes, Hawks
Snakes and Possums
We have tried to raise chickens for the last 8 years and always end up losing them to predators. The predators we encounter the most are skunks, opossums, dogs and cats. We have had occasional problems with bobcats, snakes, fox and raccoons. Thanks for the tips and we will try raising chickens again and incorporate the tips you have listed above.
Fox, possums, raccoons, hawks, skunks, weasels, the occasional neighborhood dog/cat, and snakes.
We have to watch out for hawks, coyotes and foxes.
i deal with rats ,fox,coyotes,raccoons
Possums, skunks and hawks
Racoons and skunks
awatts@atd-us.com
Foxes, dogs that people drop in the countryside, hawks
What a great opportunity!
Possums, raccoons, and small birds of prey are what I’m trying to keep away!
Dogs, snakes, raccoons….alligators and boa constrictors in the Everglades!!! Oh my!
Hawks, coons, neighbor’s loose dogs….we live in the country…would love to put your product to the test! Thank you for all the info & sweepstakes!
Raccoons, Coyotes, Dogs, Hawks, Eagles, Bob Cats, Fox, and an occasional Mountain Lion.
We live in the country and have everything from mice to alligators. Soooo need this system and hope we win! TY
we have had problems with possums, rats and coyotes, and these products would help deter the predators from trying to get in
Hawks, possums, racoons, rats!
Bears are my biggest concern. My plan is to erect an electric fence around the coop and run, similar to those used around bee yards.
fox, coyote, skunk, hawks and raccoon
I am trying to keep out the Chupacabras what comes and suck the life out of animals.
coyotes and opossum!
Too many to list! Our chickens are spoiled and roam around free during the day, then get into their pen at night. So anything out and about during the day has the chance to attack….
We have all the above animals on our land and just starting in chickens so we are scared we are going to loose a lot. Never saw the tape product but it should help keep critters out of bee hive too
Keep out raccoons, opossums mostly. They are not a problem yet but are new to raising chickens and don’t want to lose any. Love my chickens!
Snakes, coyotes, cats, dogs, hawks, racoons. Really just about all of the normal predators.
want to keep foxes out!
I am presently concerned about hawks, since it is time for them to be raising their young. They will be constantly searching for food.
Raccoons, mink, coyote, fox, owl’s. Every evening as I lock down the coops, I tell them… ” Sleep tight, don’t let the monsters bite”
Hawks,possums, raccoons&snakes
susan
globevalley at yahoo.com
coyotes
I walk the perimeter of my yard on a regular basis looking for any spots around the fence that look like a critter was digging, or bending the fence, and things like that, to make sure I am aware of any potential issues.
Fox, raccoons, opossums, hawks, skunks, dogs, buzzards, an occasional bear.
Coyotes, and Eagles
raccoons, opossums and snakes
BOBCATS!!!
Coyotes and snakes
We have problems with coyotes and great horned owls.
Raccoon
my first attempt at a backyard flock. i have regular guests (one of which had babies in my garage attic last yr before i moved in). my little critters are raccoons, skunks, hawks and im sure a few more as i live next to a creek, and woods across road. seen snake or two. im sure when they figure out i have my kids, ill see more than i really care too. altough i love my nature setting out here, i love my babies lots more…..
Raccoons and possum, always a problem, they climb everything
snakes,coons,hawks,coyotes,everything.
We are trying to keep out these guys skunk, fox, coyote, snakes, dogs.
heather hgtempaddy@hotmail.com
WE HAVE FOX AND SNAKES WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP THE CHICKENS SAFE FROM
We have all the predators mention in our area. I would love to try these products out. I love seeing nature at its best, but would love to have the extra protection for my flock.
We have a den of foxes. Also frequent hawks.
Hawks, raccoons and skunks.
I want to keep raccoons away.
raccoons!! a few skunks
Raccoons, hawks, skunks, possums
you name it, within a mile we probably have it. Eagles, hawks, owls from the air. coyotes, wolves, bobcat, cougar, fox, coon, weasel and probably anything else that would eat chickens. Had an ermine playing on our back porch yesterday. Coyotes chasing turkeys across our field.
skunks and hawks!
Racoons are my problem.
Raccoons, opossum and hawks.
I have more coons, bob cats, possums and a host of other critters that eat just about everything!
Thanks, Farmer Phil
Hawks, fox, raccoons, skunks and possums. Deer out of the garden would be a bonus!
Raccoons, bobcat, weasel, dogs, opossums, skunks, hawks, snakes, badger, foxes, coyotes and so on.
racoons, rats, possums, foxes, skunks
Snakes, skunks, owls, hawks, coons, coyotes… You name it, we have it after our chickens. Always a challenge here.
I am having trouble with stray dogs and cats.
Foxes. Coyotes, Raccoons, Opossums, and raptors, I have them all. In particular there is a female fox who has adopted the area nearest the barns and farmhouse the past two years to den and raise her kits. These predator lights are sorely needed to help deter these varmits.
We just lost our last three chickens to what we think was a fox. We also know our girls are at risk from raccoons and coyotes mainly. We’re hoping to get some more girls soon and this would really help!
Owls, Hawks, Coons, and Dogs.
opossums, skunks ,raccoon , once in awhile other domestic & wild predators visit. Don’t lose one often but with the price of birds and feed one is too many.
fox, coons, rats possums and just about anything that lives in the woods.
fox, raccoon,coyote
racoons, possums, skunks
Had a mountain lion go through the chicken pen in middle of the night. Our manx cat screamed and scared him off. Lots of deer go thru and damage the garden and fruit trees. Would love to win and try these products, thank you for the opportunity!
dogs and snakes
Hawks, fox, raccoons, snakes, skunks
coons
hawks, raccoons, rats, possums, skunks and whatever it was that stripped the skin of the meat, left the skin open like it was fileted and left the legs attached and took the head!
so sorry. had to be dreadful, poor baby…..
We live in the country so any animal is possible. Mainly bears right now.
Deer, Fox, Raccoons and other critters
We have problems with opossums, hawks, skunks, coyotes, foxes and raccoons.
We have several of the predators where we live
We have been warding off coyotes, bobcats and raptors. The raptors are easy to fend off when the chickens are in: we’ve covered the run with poultry wire and that’s enough to deter them, but we have to watch the girls when they’re out foraging. The coyotes come en masse when we’re not home, so the girls have to be locked up anytime we’re not around. The coyotes also like to dig at night, so we’ve buried 6′ chain-link wire skirt stretching out from the coop about a foot deep. That seems to have slowed them down. The bobcats hang out anywhere we can’t see them. They’re our toughest predators so far. The only solution has been to keep the hens foraging with us when we’re working the garden, then lock them up when we’re not right there. Even the farm dog doesn’t guard them…he’s busy guarding the house from the comfort of the porch shade if we’re inside or away. Darn dog!
Skunks and cats are our main threats.
mostly snakes and raccoons
Coyotes, hawks, raccoons, stray dogs.
Carol
I lost my two hens last summer to what we assume were opossums. Only thing I’ve seen that would do that. All the neighborhood cats were afraid to come in my back yard because of my hens that would chase anything!
You name it I have it….
Raccoons snakes, fox,owls, hawks, dogs, possum, skunks, coyotes, dogs, & cats….
Need an armory around here just to keep all the predators away.
Great article! Although I don’t have chickens yet the one thing I worry about is snakes where I am.
I worry about a couple of local cats that like my backyard, opossum, raccoon and hawks
we have racoons, snakes and bobcats. I would love to win this….
fox raccoons owls
My coop could sure use the help.
Blazingstars@yahoo.com
Mostly worried about the fox we have. Also neighborhood dogs, and a local eagle and hawk.
Foxes, coons, and coy dogs
Love the products. We worry about squirrels, raccoons, possums and deer.
We are just raising our first flock of hens and they’re still living safely in the garage. When we move them outside into their portable coop, we may have issues with coyotes, hawks, weasels / minks, raccoons… I don’t really know what else is around, but I’m sure there are plenty of other predators because we’re in the country.
I have been thinking of getting a nite guard.
We are just starting out as chicken owners and I NEED some help keeping them safe. Thanks for a chance to win!!
need to keep coons and cats away
Does the Nite Guard work for bear, too?
Was just chasing a hiker’s dog, he got a mouthful of tail feathers from my Dominique rooster. We have coyotes (that come right up to the house), fox (got a duck a few weeks ago), fisher (insolent creatures), at least three kinds of hawks (was chasing one this morning), and so on. I go out at night for *ahem* “rest breaks” to mark around the property. We need help!
FOXS,SKUNKS,DOG,CATS.
The two main predators that seem to get our chickens no matter what we try:
OPOSSUMS & RACOONS.
we have a fox + her kits, hawks, and homeless people but we have a good dog and we watch
This is the first time we have had chickens and are soon to learn just what kind of predators come around soon I am sure, when the chickens are moved out to their completed coop. I have been told by my neighbors that we have a lot of stray cats, possums, raccoons, and even some very large coyotes that run in the woods behind our house. Hopefully our coop can withstand all the above. I’d hate to lose one of my new little girls.
Hawks, raccoons, coyotes, snakes, dogs (sometimes my dogs).
Biggest issue is with armadillos, opossums, snakes and hawks.
opossums and a large saint bernard!!!! The dog killed 13 birds.
Foxes, possums and hawks!
Karo: foxes
We have many predators around our area and I would love to try these out and see how they work. Thank you for the opportunity.
Our worst predators seems to be possums. The deterrent we’ve found that works is a radio, tuned to a country music station. The voices, music & talking keeps almost everything at bay.
I have hawks that really worry me but being in the country brings all of the other predators. Always on the look out
I’ve seen fox, bobcat, bear, deer, snakes.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Already have an enclosed pen, but still have visitors. Opossums, dogs, snakes, and squirrels. Deer and Squirrels in the garden. I have tried human hair from barber shops, chimes, and motion sensor deterrents with minimal luck. Would love to find something that works.
Coyotes!!!!!
Awesome giveaway yall rock!
Snakes, coons, Hawks, owl’s
In 16 years we have had over 40 chickens kill because of bears.
Most predators are not really lazy…they are opportunistic….They like the best return for the least work…and they fear capture…..this is what makes prevention possible…make the birds an opportunity with great risk..
We’ve had coyotes in the past, but this spring has brought predators from the sky – hawks, eagles, and owls.
we have skunks, hawks, dogs, snakes and opossums in and above the yard. I want to get some chickens and rabbits, but am concerned about protecting them. these would help.
Mostly fox and raccoon…
Coyotes…
Great giveaway. We have a terrible coyote problem. I haven’t lost any birds, but we lost 6 cats in 2013 to coyotes. I’d really like to have a few of these motion detector lights. I use solar lights already by all of my horse fencing gates and most now last all night, even in the winter, bc the batteries have gotten so much better. Btw, you must change the rechargeable batteries periodically in your solar units, if you didn’t know.
I just started my backyard flock and am concerned about hawks, raccoons, opossums, and dogs in my area. Appreciate the information and the giveaway!
Raccoons, opposums, fox, coyote, snakes
Hawks.
ALL BIRDS OF PREY are on the Gulf coast.
I have lost chickens to racoons, a black snake, dogs and weasels. My biggest loss (20 bantams) has resulted from hawks. I will have to try the reflector strips.
I have opossums, skunks & raccoons. We are moving within less then a year and will be dealing with foxes, bobcats, etc. then. Read some great tips! Thank you
Raccoons, coyotes and fox
4 legged
Snakes, hawks, owls, neighbors dog, red fox, bobcat
Hawks are the biggest concern here but also snakes and raccoons are problems. Foxes are sometimes too.
Coyote’s, Opossums and Skunks
RACCOONS, SNAKES,RATS
Always looking for the fox. That is our main predator.
I’d LOVE to try these out!!
Here in the ‘burbs we have foxes, opossums, raccoons, skunks, snakes, hawks, owls, cats, dogs, etc., etc. A daunting task to keep these critters away from the “girls”!
Foxes. I lost six of my girls over the weekend to a fox.
Deer, raccoon, and fox.
My biggest concern are hawks , just lost one of my favorite reds to one…
I have been battling raccoons for years. Every time I think I have finally gotten all possible entry to the coop/covered run they find a new way in. My latest attempt was to install one foot metal panels underground (but attached at the top to the bottom 2 x 4 that holds the fencing. It is a BIG job but seems to be working (fingers crossed).
Good article worth bookmarking!
Thanks for the info….I want to do everything possible to secure my chicks!
Living in the mountains we see all of the predators you listed and other’s. No one I know uses night guard or any other such devices so I wonder if they really work. Predator’s are different in every area they live, here we see alot of agressive predator’s that even get past the various animals we use for protection of our livestock and our chickens.
Coyotes, hawks, raccoons, and opposums too!
I’m trying to keep away the neighborhood dogs. I’ve been unable to find out who owns them, Animal Control never arrives in time to catch them but over the past year and a half they’ve wiped out half of my flock no matter what we do. It’s incredibly frustrating and heartbreaking.
anewrue@yahoo.com
No problems so far but I know they are coming
Raccoons, Foxes, and opossums.
I have red fox, racoon, opposum, mink and weasel attacks as well as neighborhood dogs! Last year I lost 56 chickens and more counting other fowl!
Foxes! They have been the bane of my existence since I started keeping chickens…
Raccoons are also a concern.
I’ve been real lucky so far (BUT) you never know when it may happen.
So far I have not had an issue, but Isay diligent and always inspect the area and coop
Owls here are terrible, and the coyotes are awful this year. I like it better when our two donkeys are in the pasture that the coop sits in because they keep a lot of critters away. Raccoons, skunks, possums, hawks…foxes, bobcats…geez I’m gettin’ skeered!
In this area it is weasels & dogs
I am beside myself with opossum attacks…This security system would be perfect. I have lost too many birds these past few weeks…and would love to have this in place. Thank you. Rudyville Farm.
Mostly coyotes and fox.
Racoons, foxes & stray dogs.
jimpat34@wowway.com
Racoons are my biggest concern followed by Coyotes and Copper’s Hawk.
We have raccoons, possums, owls, hawks, coyote, snakes, foxes, and deer, so we could really benefit from having the NightGuard units in place on our coop.
Biggest problems around here are hawks, foxes, and the dog across the road.
We have coyotes, foxes, rattlesnakes, skunks, racoons, bears… too many to think about. I am going to check to coop this weekend and fix what needs fixing! The Night Guard lights would sure be a help too!
mcwilliams@reagan.com
Great giveaway! We have hawks and snakes in my area.
Skunks, racoons and rodents
We trap numerous raccoons every year
Mostly trying to keep foxes away from the hens, but there are some racoons who like making a mess in the yard, too.
I have a couple of young raccoons hanging around the yard right now. They have outsmarted 3 different hav-a-hart traps! Sure could use the NightGuard system.
The neighbors cat.
I am just getting into raising chickens in the city and this is invaluable information. Thank you.
Foxes are the major problem.
We have hawks, armadillos, fox, bears. Our coop is pretty secure. Knock on wood.
IM not so much worried about the critters but the guy next door he thinks my garden is his,,, Cops wont do anything, any ideas?
snakes and coyotes
We have a neighborhood bobcat who has been trying (and sometimes succeeding) to get everyone’s chickens.
I have 2 sides of my coop protected now by NightGuard Solar that my sister bought me as a gift when I got my chickens last year. We back up to 28,000 acres of state land and have yet to have had an evening predator bother our coop. I’d love to add 2 more to protect both of the sides – We could move the coop away from the shed and back of our garage to a better location in our yard and further away from the house. These work great! Thank you for the opportunity to win 2 more units!!
Bear and bobcats!
Fox, coyotes, hawks, snakes
Possums and Coyotes and snakes that eat eggses, Racoons that reach through the fence and eat legses. Hawks and feed eating Rats, birds and squirrels, these are just critters that bother my girls.
We live on a creek line that the coyotes run and have raccoon, hawks, fox, and barn owl.
The predators we are trying to keep away are rats, coons and possums. Our pens have netting over the top, so hawks and owls are not really that much of an issue. The occasional snakes, as far as we know, have only eaten the eggs.
Racoons and hawks!
The raccoons and skunks are the most bother, mink can be real trouble.
Red Foxes and possums have been killed by our dog and she also ran off a large hawk I didn’t see clearly enough to ID. The biggest enemy our rooster faces is me.
Thanks for the information and the giveaway!
We have red tail hawks. We keep the 4 legged perps away by using electric netting
Seems, noticed a fox visiting
, hanging around every day around dusk!
Hawks, coyotes etc
Coyotes, feral dogs, snakes
Mice is my biggest worry…but I have seen weird scat near the coop. Probably a raccoon.
We have possums, foxes, raccoons, cats, and hawks in the area.
We have foxes, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, hawks, bobcats, fishers and now the martens have made a comeback. I would love these deterrents.
foxes and racoons
Coons and hawks.
We have hawks, raccoons, foxes, and mountain lions.
Wonder if it works for “Neighbors”
Opossums and snakes and hawks
would love this!!
hawks, raccoons, mink/weasel, rats/mice, and I’m sure there are more I haven’t seen yet.
Raccoons, snakes and rats!
Even with fishing line strewn across my yard, which worked for two years protecting my 3 banties from hawks, one Cooper’s Hawk maneuverd through the aerial maze to kill my favorite girl, drag her a short ways, and proceed to eat her. I was in the house for 15 minutes when all this happened.
coyotes, possum, skunks,racoons,bob cat and hawks
hawks and bald eagles
fox, snake, coyote, hawk, coon,
Foxes, hawkes, eagles and osprey.
Most often, it’s a fox. My dog is good at chasing but not quick enough last week and I lost a hen. I’ve caught and releases elsewhere several black rat snakes. Suppose they were after the mice and well as the eggs. My cat does a nice job on the mice, so the snakes were relocated.
We are worried that when they are free ranging the coyotes, raccoons, hawks, skunks, and foxes will prey on our family of chickens.
Here’s what I’ve found to work, or at least help, in deterring sky predators from my flock: I found some really cheap tie down straps at a gas station (also available at most “dollar stores”) and they were really bright orange. I tied one end to the tallest pole, tree, or other object I could find or install on one side of the chicken’s pen, and the other end was tied lower, usually to the fence top itself on the other end of the pen. The color scared flying predators and the wind caused them to blow and flap around crazily enough that no bird could rely upon them, hence, they didn’t bother messing with that area anymore. After awhile there weren’t any birds flying over the pen.
Another thing I’ve done is stretched twine, rope, or just cheap string, across the tops of the pen and either tied or attached bits of foil to them. They work just like those straps only they are even cheaper, usually less than a dollar in total.
And finally, if all else fails I’ll spend even more time out near the chicken area and when I see a flying predator I’ll bark and scream like a raving lunatic to scare them off!
I might look like a fool out there but I swear, those birds scoping out my flock don’t know what to make of it and they always end up flying away rather than dealing with the crazy man screaming down below.
I’m trying to keep raccoons & opossums away all the time! They are a constant problem for us!
Weasels are my biggest challenge – so far, I’ve caught two mink. We also have hawks. It’s a never-ending battle. This is why I have two roosters and a pellet rifle.
Skunks at the moment. We have had issues with hawks, rats and raccoons in the past. Never ending it seems. Our neighbor has went from 44 to 25 in a month.
We just finished our larger run for protected free range, . I have one Night guard, and I want to keep snakes, raccoons, fox, skunks, fisher cats, Bob cats, Coyote , Hawks , and bear if they are close. Thanks for a great article and this awesome giveaway.
We just finished our chicken coop and just about ready for the little ones to go in. Since they are free ranging this would be a HUGE help to fight off predators! Thanks for the info and the giveaway.
Coyote, raccoon, hawks ,bear
Coyotes, hawks, and skunks.
Coyotes, opossums, red tailed hawks, raccoons.
Coyotes and raccoons mostly
Lori M.
These days, raccoons, skunks and rodents. The local cats help with the rodents, and the chickens seem to like the cats.
Possums,racoons,and neighbors cats and dogs
Racoons, hawks, skunks and rats!
hawk and skunks!
Moving to an acreage within the next 2 months and plan to start our flock by the end of the summer. Unsure of what predators are around the new place yet.
We have lots of fox and birds of prey. And, I’m worried about skunks too! This would be great for my coop!
Great information that I need! I will be starting to build a coop and run area and I could use these to help protect them from predators. Thanks for the information! Trying to keep away Coyotes, Raccoon, Bobcats, Fox, Opossum, Snakes, Skunks, Birds of Prey, Dogs, Cats, People, Rats/Mice.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Oppossum and racoons
Foxes, loose dogs, chicken hawks
Snakes, rats, raccoons, opposum, hawks, owls,
Coyote, raccoons, possum, and hawks.
Gwen Johnson Koskinen–we have either a chicken snake or hawk that got out 4 new chicks. No sign of them, just vanished into thin air.
Raccoons
Coyotes,mink,coons,rats,stray cat………… Even the roosters are not amune……
Our neighbor 1/2 mile away uses these, and the visibility is great across the pastures.
Cheers!
izzi~avis
Coyotes, dogs (mine and neighbors), stray cats, skunks, hawks. I’m a newbie with chickens and need all the help I can get!
Coyotes! They run through my property daily to get to my neighbor who FEEDS THEM! That’s right, they feed them! Thankfully, they usually go for the easy meal, but they have nabbed one of my turkey hens and Ceelo Mean, my bad @ rooster. 🙁
Snakes, skunks, opossums, owls, hawks, coyote.
This is our first time with chickens… and we’re doing all we can to keep them all safe!!!
Raccoons, possums, hawks
A fox has already struck and managed to still create havoc despite a high volate electric fence. Hawks are the next biggest threat. Then there’s also coons and snakes.
We have hawks, raccoons, snakes, dogs, cats and skunks.
I live in a city where my only real predator threats have been hawks, neighborhood cats (who I doubt would actually try anything) and last summer I had an unfortunate run in with a 30 pound raccoon who killed all but one of my chickens. I have sense built a new coop and pen and have been practicing better security measures. I have also added a solar powered motion light to the front of the coop.
Coyotes, foxes, raccoons, hawks…and everything else.
We have fox and hawks in the area. Would love to keep them away from Ladies.
Hawks- Owls- Also neighbor’s dogs.
So far we have not lost any hens to predators but that could change in a hurry. I have prevented a neighbor dog from digging into our yard, scared away a few hawks and have been lucky. Would love to win the Nite Guard. Luckily our dogs think they need to protect the hens and our cat could care less if they are around.
I worry about them all! Mostly neighborhood dogs and cats though.
We have a pair of hawks that live nearby.
Coyotes, fox, raccoons, snakes, hawks.
We’ve had one loss to our flock! We set traps and caught the raccoon! Great giveaway! =)
Trying to keep away cats, dogs, coyotes, hawks and raccoons. Oh, and my husband. He thinks my girls look delicious!
dropofkim@yahoo.com
Coons.fox and hawks
The neighbors dogs.
Will be starting our first flock in a month. Have learned there are many predators in the area. Fox, skunk, snakes, owls, hawks, coyote, stray cats, and racoon.
We haven’t had any predator losses yet, but I wouldn’t more more deterrent!
I had a fox that would visit my semi-suburban yard in the middle of the day! I would yell out the window and it would just stand there, in the middle of the lawn and look at me, not moving. How brazen! Weasels at night (especially after the ducks), skunk, hawk (but not so much after I moved the run under heavy canopy of trees),and raccoon. Local dogs once in awhile, but after I notified the owners that in this state I can shoot at a dog chasing livestock, I never saw a loose dog again.
I like how she mentioned having a Rooster for protection in this article! I was surprised to see my Rooster Rocky run after our dog Carver as he ran past them this evening as I was walking them to their sleeping post this evening. I mind you Carver is a 80 lb dog, Rocky might touch 10 lbs. Have to admire his fighting spirit, as he tries to protect his ladies, but was also very entertaining to watch. Carver, so far, has shown no interest in hunting our chickens. Good Farm dog,and a good courageous Rooster! Out problem here is fox, maybe a coyote, coons,opossums,big birds from above, snakes, and some weird creepy animal that attacked the neighbors cat last night. Speaking of big birds from above, I actually saw a buzzard, that’s right, a buzzard, stalking our birds in their run last summer. Couldn’t believe it!!! So look out for buzzards too!
We too have noticed buzzards lately….every evening! Has anyone ever seen one attack their flock?
day predators here are coyote and hawk, night time are raccoon, and opossum. If a bird doesn’t get into the coop then they have to deal with owls. So I can use a Nite-Guard
Great Giveaway. Thanks.
Raccoons, hawks, owls.
Great information, thanks!
Fisher cats, raccoons, opossums, snakes, fox, rats
Our chicken coop backs state land with lots of predators, this would be a great deterrent!
We have too many predators to ever let our chickens loose. We’ve stood pounding on our kitchen window while the coyote ignored us and plucked a chicken off our yard in broad daylight. I hate keeping them penned up all the time, but I hate providing free chicken dinners to all the predators even more.
Trying to keep out our own dogs, neighborhood dogs, possums, hawks
we have issues with coyotes, wild hogs, feral dogs, possoms and skunks.
Raccoon, opossum, hawk, skunk (so far.)
I am getting my first chicks in a few weeks. We live in a high predator area, so keeping our pet chickens safe and secure is important.
Coyotes, raccoons, bear, bobcat, fishers, fox, oppossum, snakes, skunks, eagles, hawks, owls, dogs and cats.
Our snakes eat the mice, but no eggs or chicks! Raccoons are the worst, then neighbors’ dogs, coyotes. Our skunks, raptors, possums aren’t a problem.
Eagles, Hawks, Raccoons, skunks & cats! I would love this product!
We have foxes in the woods behind the house, so we have a “chicken nanny.” All free range is supervised. Talk radio seems to help, but the supervision generally has to be visual. We’ve also had birds of prey (hawks and owls) hang out for an opportunity, but we stand guard and haven’t had any losses. I also have metalic ribbon hung around our perimeter.
Raccoon, Snakes and Coyotes have way too much interest in our
small coop, oh, and a stubborn red fox last week-end!
Our biggest threats here are raccoons, opossums, and hawks. To a lesser degree, the occasional coyote.
raccoon, skunks
Deer!!!! And maybe racoons….
Snakes,racoons,bobcats,hawks,owls,and dogs