how to protect chickens from cyotes

[JasperMoon]

In ohio we have Cyotes and other smaller preditors, we have a caged in run on all sides with Hardware Cloth, but i sill want to be cautios. we are getting a herding dog for them, but what else should we do to protect, we also have deer in our woods less than 10 ft from our coop so there are preditors there aswell.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Chicken wire won't keep predators out. Raccoons can shred it, coyotes and large dogs can break right in.
Hardware cloth is necessary to keep those things out.
Is the top covered? Raccoons and opossums can climb anything and foxes can jump virtually anything.

 

[Trish1974]

I highly recommend an electric fence. @Howard E has a great article if you need a how-to.

 

[JasperMoon]

Chicken wire won't keep predators out. Raccoons can shred it, coyotes and large dogs can break right in.
Hardware cloth is necessary to keep those things out.
Is the top covered? Raccoons and opossums can climb anything and foxes can jump virtually anything.

yes top is coverd, but ive seen no dammage to they have a pre cut hold (big enough for them to fit in and out of it) into the run, should we add a door (for us to open it in the mourning close it at sundown)

 

[sylviethecochin]

Doors are good. I like doors. I also pick up feed every night--this deters rats, squirrels, and other scum from eating parts of my wooden coop to get to it.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

yes top is coverd, but ive seen no dammage to they have a pre cut hold (big enough for them to fit in and out of it) into the run, should we add a door (for us to open it in the mourning close it at sundown)

Hi, welcome to BYC!

You've seen no damage YET.

Yes I would add a door. I also suggest electric fence and/or hardware cloth. A raccoon can reach through chicken wire a rip a chickens head clean off.

A picture of your run and coop could help to give better suggestions.

 

[JasperMoon]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

You've seen no damage YET.

Yes I would add a door. I also suggest electric fence and/or hardware cloth. A raccoon can reach through chicken wire a rip a chickens head clean off.

A picture of your run and coop could help to give better suggestions.

when i get home i will gladly take pictures of the coop run feed and our chicken keeping stuff

 

[JasperMoon]

Doors are good. I like doors. I also pick up feed every night--this deters rats, squirrels, and other scum from eating parts of my wooden coop to get to it.

ok honnestly im willing to make and changes to it to keep them safe, the coop chickens and original supplys came from the original owners,

 

[JasperMoon]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

You've seen no damage YET.

Yes I would add a door. I also suggest electric fence and/or hardware cloth. A raccoon can reach through chicken wire a rip a chickens head clean off.

A picture of your run and coop could help to give better suggestions.

just relised that that "chicke wire" was hardware cloth omg i am so stupid

 

[lazy gardener]

Not stupid. Lucky! Are you shutting them in the coop every night, and are all openings on coop covered with 1/2" hardware cloth?

Agreed, if you have coyote, and for that matter, any large predators, electric fence is good.