Will this coop keep my rooster safe from predators?

[Chickassan]

Skunks, I can help you.prevent something before it happens lol!
Skunks dig like crazy and they'll dig under just a skirt but it you set cinder blocks on top of your skirt the entire perimeter they can't.

Thank you everyone! I’m not sure if we have coins but I know for sure we don’t have bears lol I have skunks dogs cats and opossums

 

[centrarchid]

I bought this back in 2016. It has been across the state of Missouri multiple times so beat up by transport. It has also been rolled by wind twice forcing replacement of roof with a sheet of plywood. The hardware cloth is extremely light duty. In my setting it need not be tough enough to keep out raccoons because other barriers keep the raccoons from challenging it. For last year dogs have been only barrier but a hotwire fence only has also been used.

It always supports a least a single hen, but at times will also contain a cock and the offspring. The birds most of time use the coop a roost / nest site while otherwise free-ranged. Door is opened at dawn and closed about an hour after dark.

 

[bobhoke]

I think if you put it on a concrete pad or very well placed and supported patio stones, and if that's not an option then hardware cloth attached underneath it will be pretty good.

The cloth / fencing on the sides MUST at a minimum be secured to the bottom. Secure the bottom edges to the inside with hose clamps generously and back that up with thick lacing wire. 2 is 1 and 1 is none. This is about survival. Coons can pick locks and chew through chicken wire. Canines WILL dig under and burp and leave w/o the bottom secured. How many birds are you housing? Good luck.

 

[chickenmama109]

Even if a predator gets through the fencing! will they be able to get in the house of a change the locks!? That is my only concern!! Thank you so much everyone

 

[bobhoke]

Even if a predator gets through the fencing! will they be able to get in the house of a change the locks!? That is my only concern!! Thank you so much everyone

Yes, if you leave for groceries during the day a predator can and will get through since predation is a concern in your domain if the bottom isn’t secured. The only predator I see getting through the core of that design’s wood is a bear day or night. There are several detergents you can emplace to effectively mitigate predation.

 

[chickenmama109]

Yes, if you leave for groceries during the day a predator can and will get through since predation is a concern in your domain if the bottom isn’t secured. The only predator I see getting through the core of that design’s wood is a bear day or night. There are several detergents you can emplace to effectively mitigate predation.

Oh in the day time they are safe! My rooster free ranges I’m just worried about something getting in the house at night

 

[chickenmama109]

Yes, if you leave for groceries during the day a predator can and will get through since predation is a concern in your domain if the bottom isn’t secured. The only predator I see getting through the core of that design’s wood is a bear day or night. There are several detergents you can emplace to effectively mitigate predation.

Thank you for the info I really do appreciate!!

 

[centrarchid]

Oh in the day time they are safe! My rooster free ranges I’m just worried about something getting in the house at night

Arrangement you describe same as mine. Birds at greater risk during day if coop closed up. The predators will not challenge coop just because it is there.

If all I had presently was a coop, then first upgrade would be a low end fence charger, grounding rod and wire, fencing wire, one T-post, six fiber glass fencing posts, and 12 plastic insulators to make a small fence around the coop. You can leave an opening without a door. Have so fence is only on at night. Most predators will not look for the opening you leave for you to go back and forth without messing with gate or stepping over fence. A great deal of protection can be realized by simply having coop up against a straight length of hotwire as the predators just do not like being close to the stuff. The rooster likely will not be so worried during free-range time when fence charger turned off.