| Chicken coop predators can literally destroy your | | | | A hawk can swoop down from the sky and carry |
| flock overnight. Protecting your chickens is one of | | | | off a chicken in no time at all. These are meat-eating |
| the main jobs your chicken coop has to perform-day | | | | birds, and they are very strong. Their hooked claws |
| and night. Here are some of the most common | | | | can easily penetrate the flesh of a chicken and hold it |
| predators that you have to guard against. | | | | tight for several minutes as it makes its get away. |
| Fox | | | | The only way to protect your flock from hawks is |
| "The fox in the hen house" is more than just an old | | | | to install a netted roof over the chicken run area. |
| saying. Foxes love to get into chicken coops. | | | | Raccoon |
| Generally, a fox will hunt at night, but they have | | | | Raccoons are very common and very troublesome |
| been known to attack during the day on occasion. | | | | for many chicken owners. They love chicken and |
| The fox will not only kill your chickens but will also do | | | | chicken eggs, and they will do whatever they can to |
| its best to get at any eggs it finds. The best | | | | get at them. Raccoons are also fairly smart, so do |
| protection against the fox is a secure chicken coop | | | | not underestimate them. |
| with wire mesh over all of the windows, vents and | | | | In order to protect your flock, make sure you have |
| outside run area. | | | | solid gates and doorways and good quality wire |
| Coyote | | | | fencing. Remember, raccoons can climb, so you may |
| In some places, coyotes are a big problem. They like | | | | need to install a netting roof as well to keep them |
| to hunt at night but will also hunt during daylight if the | | | | from climbing up and over your wire fence. |
| weather is cool or cold. | | | | Snakes |
| Coyotes can be strong and determined. In order to | | | | Snakes will normally try to get at the eggs and not |
| protect against them you must use sturdy wire | | | | the birds. The only way to keep snakes out of your |
| mesh and solid gates they cannot push open or jump | | | | chicken coop or hen house is to make sure you seal |
| over. | | | | up all openings. An opening of just one inch is enough |
| Skunk | | | | space for a snake to enter. Building your chicken |
| Many areas have skunks. A skunk will normally avoid | | | | coop or hen house off the ground will also help. |
| attacking bigger chickens but will do its best to carry | | | | You do not have to be a victim of chicken coop |
| off chicks. Skunks can climb well, so make sure you | | | | predators. Applying a few extra security measures |
| cover all possible openings, even those above ground. | | | | will go a long way in protecting your flock and their |
| Hawk | | | | eggs. |