How can I protect my chick from predators?

[youtubeminer]

I'm going out for a week and I need to know how to build a thing that protects my chicken I need help like make fake eyes will that scare them away? I really care about them and if they die my life is over.

 

[N F C]

There are a lot of things that are considered predators of chickens...do you know which ones are in your area? That can make a difference in what measures you take to protect your birds.

There are some basic things that can be done like using hardware cloth instead of chicken wire for your coop openings and run then burying it about a foot deep to keep diggers out. Covering your run can keep out flying predators. Having a trained livestock guardian dog can help. Keeping food waste cleaned up will prevent attracting scavengers. Electric fencing can keep out some predators.

Check out the predator/pest articles in the Learning Center once you have identified the ones that are in your area for specifics:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-predators-pests-how-to-protect-treat-your-flock

Good luck to you.

 

[youtubeminer]

Raccoons rats cats foxes owls bird and rarely a bobcat

 

[Egghead_Jr]

How are they protected now? Did you get a chicken sitter to close the coop at night and open in morning, feed and give fresh water daily? If so then it seems that's the same protection as your currently doing so wont matter if your gone for a week.

Build a simple run with a door. Use 14 ga welded wire. Comes in 4ft X 50ft rolls at lowe's or home depot for $38. Attach to your run frame with 3/4 inch washers and 1-1 1/4 inch exterior screws. You can cut in half to bury under sod running out 2 ft from run wall to stop predators too. With help from a friend you should be able to build one in two short days or one long day.