Ways to Protect Coop and Run Against Predators?

[angie_02]

Hi There -
We live with Coyote, Raccoon, Mink, Rats, Hawk and Eagles...
I added a couple of pictures of our run - Each fence panel is made from 3 2x4's and then a series of 5/8"x3.5" cedar fence boards and then covered with 1/2" hardware cloth. Each fence panel is then connected to a 4x4 to hold it all together. I have chicken wire on top right now to keep raptors out - I will eventually build a more sufficient roof (with hardware cloth and also a covered section) when I can afford the time and money

I didn't dig down the wire on the outside because the ground is just horrible and full of rocks - instead I went out 2 feet with hardware cloth all around and then covered the cloth with dirt and planted grass seed.

I've show a picture of the gate too. Basically just a modified fence panel as described above. We have two little kids so I used those hinges that close themselves so that the door swings shut.

The coop door is automatic, set to open at 7AM and close at 9PM - you can see in the bottom picture. There are two doors on the front of the coop. The top door houses the automatic door opener. The bottom door would close up completely if I needed it to.

Still new to this... the whole thing was built in a bit of a hurry. As soon as these girls are big enough to deal with our cats, they'll hopefully have free range of the place.

We also have a wonderful (although just a pup) Smooth Collie that barks at anything and everything - pretty sure he keeps most predators away. He's in the yard all day until the chicks are tucked up inside.

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Wow! That's beautiful! You've got a great setup there

 

[malmohuset]

I built the coop from these free plans:
http://www.homegardendesignplan.com/2015/11/m300-chicken-coop-plans-construction.html

The run fences just sort of came about. Originally I was going to build the run using pallets that I could get free - and I'd seen that window box idea in pallets on Pinterest... In the end though, having spent so much time building the coop and it looked so pretty...the pallets just didn't cut it... but I wanted to keep the planting box idea.

The black and grey chicks are California Greys and the black and white one is an Ancona

 

[ScottandSam]

We are considering a guard dog lol thanks Scott

Do some reading up. We read that two work better for some duty and off duty time. like splitting up patrols in the middle of the night. Our 2 are protective with geese, chickens, a pack of poodles, yorkies and our outside cat They don't bother with our friends ,mail lady or even the ups driver. We always know when other dogs or even our indoor cat are outside. The bark out of our male great Pyrenees is enough to scared most animals away.
Our other is a female 4 month old great Pyrenees. The males is great with helping to train the younger female.
Later we will look to add another son in the mix. Our worst predators have been coyotes and one stray boxer mix.

Scott

 

[turtlerouge]

I've a chain link fence with a chain link gate. my husband a d I put chicken wire over the chain link fencing and the gate. Problem is, there is still a wide gap that a goon or other predictor can squeeze thru that gap. How am I to close that gap and yet have the gate feasible to open and close.
There is metal siding where the chain link ends. How do I attach hardware cloth to the metal siding to next building?
How high up on the chain link fence should a person put hardware cloth plus burying it 1.5'-2' below the fencing.
What is the best over top protection against hawks, eagles, and all predictor wildlife?
Here is my coop and run, maybe it will help you get a better idea of what Im dealing with and how to fix my problem..

 

[barred2rock]

To add to my and others suggestions; you want to clean up any left over food scraps. Often predators will be after the scraps as much or more than the chickens; but they may still kill the chickens if they can reach them.

 

[yooper coop]

Sadly, I've had a fox attack recently wiping out 6 of my chickens. I was absolutely devestated and now I want to work to improve my coop and run to help protect my remaining girls and prevent this from happening again. Any tips on improving coops against foxes or other predators. Also, what are other predators I may face with my chickens?

I got a Rottweiler to help out my Labrador after the coyotes tried chewing her up. Im gone nights for work and my son is home alone. going on a year and a half with out anymore predation problems. They are great chicken dogs

 

[PD-Riverman]

I made the mistake of leaving my chickens unattended while free ranging. I go outside to check on them and there are dead chickens scattered around the yard.

Sorry! Did you see the fox when this happen? Were some of the chickens gone completely or all were there? Sure sounds like a dog attack??

 

[angie_02]

Sorry! Did you see the fox when this happen? Were some of the chickens gone completely or all were there? Sure sounds like a dog attack??

We didn't know what to think at first but later as I'm walking around looking for chickens that got scared and ran off, I saw a fox run through the field in our yard. And yes there was one completely gone and another that was left but you could see where it had been eating. I'm thinking one or two fixes killed as much as they could then planned on dragging them off but we let our dogs out and I'm thinking they must've caught him in the act and scared him off.

 

[aart]

Don't count on the motion lights working for long.....they will get used to them.

 

[myfavoritechicken]

Maybe also mounting a few Solar Nite Guards on the outside corners?

http://www.niteguard.com/pages/how-it-works-the-nite-guard-solar-light