What makes a coop "Fort Knox" predator proof?

cavemanrich said:

You did an EXCELLENT JOB. There is no such thing as totally predator proof, but you come very close. The predators you list should be well deterred. If you did encounter bears, well, they can overcome most things short of Alcatras. The other lil devils are the weasels martins, and mink type predators. Hope you don't have those in your area. About the only thing I would add would be a Hot Wire Electric fence. Wait and see if you need one. The most important is to look up your chickens for the night. That is when most predator attacks occur.
WISHING YOU BEST

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FlyWheel said:

10" deep concrete slab floor, steel reinforced cinder block walls and a metal roof.That should keep them safe from just about everything.

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zndzant said:

Hi everyone!

Reading here, I see we all have predator issues, which vary greatly depending on where we live. I'm in Southeast MI(60 miles N of Detroit) in a rural area. Our main predators are fox, coyote, hawks, owls, opossum, and skunks, and the ever popular raccoon. Snakes are generally not an issue, although we do have garter snakes(those are the only ones I've ever seen.)

This is my first year having chickens and I have built my coop as close to predator proof as I believe it can be, and was wondering what everyone else considers to be "Fort Knox" safe.

I covered the eaves with 1/4" hardware cloth attached with screws and fender washers.
The windows and one pop door(that isn't used) are also covered on the inside in the same manner.
The coop is 4x8, 2 1/2' off the ground, so it would be hard for anything to get in from underneath the coop.
The run surrounds 3 sides of the coop, total dimensions are 16'x16' with 4' of one end comprised of the coop itself. This is completely covered in 1/2" hardware cloth again attached with screws and fender washers.
The top of the run is 2x4's attached to the coop and top edge of the run walls with joist hangers screwed in, and completely covered in 1/2" hardware cloth as well.
There are no openings in the hardware cloth larger than 1/2" anywhere.
Not done yet , but to be finished before the weather gets cold is a 2' skirt of 1/2" hardware cloth attached along the bottom 2x4 of the run walls again with screws and fender washers to prevent diggers from getting in.
So far, so good.

My weak points, that I can see are the window sash locks on the back doors. IF anything got in they could easily undo them. My plan to remedy this is to attach something to the door handles that will prevent them from opening even if the sash locks are undone. Like a chain through them with a lock or something
There is space around the gate to the run, that the hardware cloth extends over an opening greater than 1/2" to allow the door to swing in all weather. This is mainly along the latch side. My plan to counter this is to screw a 3-4" strip of plywood the length of the sash side, on the outside that will act as a "stop" and also cover the gap. Sorry I don't have a picture of the gate.

Here are a few pics to illustrate.

Now, please share what you have done to build "Fort Knox" and also suggest what you would do differently if you were me( or other posters as the case may be.) Maybe we can all get some tips and tricks that will help us keep our cheeps safe.

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JenniferCNY said:

@zndzant I have the daisy coop also but I paid to have it built. Fortunately money isn't an issue for buying the hardware cloth. Just procrastination. But I know if something happens I will be devastated.

I like that yours only has one nesting box. We have both sides with the boxes and they NEVER lay in one side.

I agree on the insulation. We will put some on the floor and cover it with more flooring and the bedding that we use.

What do you use for roosting poles? We use a wide dowel but thinking of changing to 2×2 board.

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Golden Chicken Master said:

my goldens think chickens are edible

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Maxkincaid said:

I did almost everything right but I used chicken wire... Oops. Chooks have only been out there for less than a week so too soon to tell how it will end up but my big upgrade is going to be moving out large dog out to the coop. In the front if the run is going to be a large dog house and the view from his bed will be the chicken coop. Hopefully that will scare off most predators.

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cavemanrich said:

What predators are in your area??? Don't know your location, so not sure what to protect from. If you do lock up the coop pop door for the night,,,, your chickens would be relatively safe from nighttime predators.
The overhead chicken wire will keep flying daytime raptors out.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and

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