predetor proofing your coop and run?

[PQ4evr]

We have 12 wonderful chicken in a oversized chicken tractor the DH and I built it is totally wrapped in chicken wire so nothing can dig under it and get to them. My son loves these chickens dearly The hubby let me order 20 more chicks for laying so its time they move on up. we have a big shed we don't use and plan on using it for the coop I am still unsure how to secure the run and coop since we do have raccoons every where here. note there so bad they were able to drag a 50 pd bag of bird feed off into the hosta plants so they could chow down.;

 

[JennsPeeps]

You'll find some really great suggestions in the "Coop construction" area.

 

[panner123]

Now I have seen some large coons, but never one large enough to move a full bag of feed. Hve you ever thought, you might have a bear in the nieghborhood. As for predator proofing a coop, that is impossible. You can make it hard for the predator, but if they want in, they will find a way. The 2 best things I have found are an electric fence and a radio. I run barb wire for my hot wires because of the bear here. The radios are on talk show and the human voices seem to keep to smaller predators away. Good luck with the new chickens.

 

[chookchick]

Chicken wire is not enough to keep the raccoons out. They are strong enough to rip holes in it, and will corner a chicken and pull it through. I strongly suggest that you beef up the sides with 2 by 4 welded wire. Make sure that the chickens in the tractor are locked into a secure coop area at night, all latches should be secured with a carribeaner or padlock. Raccoons can get through a 3" gap, so make sure everything is screened with hardware cloth. If you can post pictures of the shed, or provide more description, we could give you more advice.

 

[farmerwnb]

I swear by the old electric fence hot wires for keeping predators and even the occasional unlucky vermin away. It brings me a bit of pleasure knowing that a wandering critter that would normally do harm to my flock will get redirected with a strong shock. My dogs are very well educated and now stay clear of it. I run one 2" low and one high at 14". My lower hot line nailed a mouse the other day and left it quite dead. I had one poor WL get out one day and try desperately to get back in through the run. She received several shocks before we could get her away from the fence, but she bounced back to normal with in the hour.