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predator proofing the coop

post #1 of 5
7/19/12 at 10:16pm
Thread Starter 

We are in the process of building our firs coop for our first chickens. We live in the city, so we shouldn't have a huge predator problem, but we have seen the occasional raccoon and such in our yard and there are a number of stray cats roaming. What is the best way to make the coop safe from these critters? I would eventually like to bury wire, but we don't have the permanant area for the coop ready. Would it be ok to run chicken wire along the whole bottom of the run? Basically making a wire floor. Or would this be too hard on the chickens feet and not allow them to scratch enough? Any thought or tips are appreciated!

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post #2 of 5
7/19/12 at 11:30pm

pellet gun or airsoft should learn the predators a lesson.. but you could chicken wire the bottom and use sand or another media to coat the floor bottom so they can adequately scratch.

2 Kids of mine and 2 of my GF's

 

2 Toulouse Geese, 5 Mallards, 1 Rouen, 1 Buff orpingtons, and 2 Black Cayugas, 1 Khaki Campbell,

 

Chickens:  2 Silver Wyandotes, 2 Light Brahmas, 3 RI Reds, 1 Red Sex links, 2 Black Sex Links, 1 Black Australorp,  24 Americaunas

 

1 Alaskan Husky Malmute mix, 1 Siberian/Malmute mix,

 

3 Cats and 1 rats......

 

Thats my zoo so far....

 

next year 2...

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2 Kids of mine and 2 of my GF's

 

2 Toulouse Geese, 5 Mallards, 1 Rouen, 1 Buff orpingtons, and 2 Black Cayugas, 1 Khaki Campbell,

 

Chickens:  2 Silver Wyandotes, 2 Light Brahmas, 3 RI Reds, 1 Red Sex links, 2 Black Sex Links, 1 Black Australorp,  24 Americaunas

 

1 Alaskan Husky Malmute mix, 1 Siberian/Malmute mix,

 

3 Cats and 1 rats......

 

Thats my zoo so far....

 

next year 2...

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post #3 of 5
7/20/12 at 4:57am

If you only have the occasional raccoon or cat, this should be enough to keep them away. Its pretty small so you can just put it at the base of the coop.

 

http://www.flemingoutdoors.com/solar-nite-eyes-predator-protection.html

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post #4 of 5
7/20/12 at 12:19pm
Use hardware cloth secured tightly in any open areas. Chicken wire is useless. Raccoons can get their nasty paws in welded wire and eat their heads off. Make sure there are no holes to get in. You also have mice and rats to worry about.

I'd especially use the HC where you have the ventilation at the top.

Good luck!
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post #5 of 5
7/20/12 at 3:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nicole01 View Post

Use hardware cloth secured tightly in any open areas. Chicken wire is useless. Raccoons can get their nasty paws in welded wire and eat their heads off. Make sure there are no holes to get in. You also have mice and rats to worry about.
I'd especially use the HC where you have the ventilation at the top.
Good luck!

Hardware cloth is a wise investment. I, too,placed it at both soffits of the roof. Not only because I feel it is great insurance against any would-be scalers of the walls or fly-in type intruders, but I also think of myself and coop maintenance overall. The HC prevents many birds from using the soffit vent areas for nesting and I wouldhave to deal with that when it occurs. My mantra has always been: "You only have to do this ONCE, so do it right the first time." 

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