Help - WHAT am I dealing with?

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

5 week chicks just moved to newly built coop and 2nd night we have an unwanted visitor.
They didn't get inside...but definitely tried.
For frame of reference the light colored wood to the left is a 1x3...can yall help me identify what this predator is?
I live in a subdivision across the street from a wooded park.

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

What can I put here to prevent further attempts?

 

[LavenderDaFlerf]

Do you have mountain lions or bobcats/lynx?

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

Do you have mountain lions or bobcats/lynx?

Oh I have no idea.

 

[Geena]

5 week chicks just moved to newly built coop and 2nd night we have an unwanted visitor.
They didn't get inside...but definitely tried.
For frame of reference the light colored wood to the left is a 1x3...can yall help me identify what this predator is?
I live in a subdivision across the street from a wooded park.

Is that T 1-11? The way the edges look chewed makes me think rats or squirrels. You could wrap that area with sheet metal.

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

If is this from home depot
LP SmartSide SmartSide 38 Series Cedar Texture 8 in. OC Panel Engineered Treated Wood Siding

 

[Weeg]

It does almost look like rats. The bites are to small to make me think of anything big, a Coyote would have left larger marks. Maybe a coon pulling at the wood? Doesn't really scream coon though.
Wrapping in sheet metal, or hardware cloth would do it.

 

[Meyer_Hatchery]

I'm thinking rats also.

 

[Peas4Ducks]

I think if it were rats, they probably would have gotten further than that—rats are excellent at gnawing. I think the only way you’re going to know for sure is to set up a trail cam.

 

[alwaystj9]

I second the trail cam -- I just got one, not a fancy one. Actually the cheapest they had. So, last night it took this pic:

That's a possum trying to get in at my house.
The other option could be a trap of some kind but not knowing what you're trapping makes it hard to use the right trap, but if you have a trap it's worth a try.