Chickens can be vulnerable to coyotes and other animals.Regular maintenance is required to protect chickens.To keep predators out, build the right structures.Keep your chickens safe by managing their eating and sleeping routine.You can use traps and guard dogs.
Step 1: It's a good idea to build your coop off the ground.
elevation can help protect your chicken.rodents will be more exposed if you have a chicken coop.About a foot off the ground is ideal.It's best to have a professional build your chicken coop if you're not very familiar with it.
Step 2: Fence underground to keep vermin out.
It may be hard to elevate a coop that is already in place.You can put fencing under the ground.It can help protect your chickens from rats.Six inches of fencing wire should be buried to protect your chickens.
Step 3: You can try an electric fence.
Make sure the electric current isn't too strong.You don't want your chickens to get hurt by the fence.Look for electric wiring that is designed to stun predator rather than kill them.If you don't know how to build a fence or work with electronics, have it professionally installed.You don't want to end up hurting yourself while building the fence.
Step 4: Chickens are vulnerable to flying predator so use a roof to protect them.
Chickens are vulnerable to flying animals.A wire mesh roof needs to be installed.Hawks can pick up chickens if this is not changed.
Step 5: A tall mesh fence is a better choice.
The chicken's run should be surrounded by a fence.Your chickens should not be kept inside a fence.They should be protected from predators.A mesh fence is the best way to keep animals out of your chicken house.Your fence should be at least five feet high.
Step 6: Chickens are kept in a secured location at night.
Chickens are not allowed in the backyard at night.Chickens can be preyed on at night.Chickens should be secured before bed to keep them safe.
Step 7: It's a good idea to take precautions with food.
It's a good idea to be careful about storing food.The scent of chicken feed can attract animals.Chicken feed should be kept in closed containers.If you have other animals, you should be careful with your food.Don't leave dog or cat food outside overnight, it's not a good place to put it.
Step 8: It's a good idea to be vigilant about cleaning the chicken house.
The coop needs to be cleaned daily.You want to get rid of any material that might attract a predator.Chicken feed should be thrown away at the end of the day.Remove the table scraps if you give your chickens scraps.If you have fruit trees near your chicken house, be on the lookout for fallen fruit.
Step 9: If they are familiar with chickens, use cats for protection.
Rats and vermin can be targeted by cats.Chickens may be viewed as prey by cats.If cats are comfortable around chickens, they should be used as protection.Chickens can be introduced to cats and kittens at a young age.For a few weeks, have them interact through a fence.Try an interaction in which the chicken and cat are restrained.All cats are not the same.Even when properly introduced, some cats will still target chickens.If your cat seems aggressive towards chickens, even after controlled interactions, you should not let the cat outside.
Step 10: Invest in animals.
Farm dogs are great for protecting chickens.Border Collies are good at chasing off potential predators.Dogs can sometimes target chickens.It's a good idea to keep the dogs outside.In the moment, scold the dog if you notice it being aggressive towards the chicken.Your dog may eventually be able to leave chickens alone.
Step 11: Light can scare off predatory animals.
A motion-activated light or a bright security light is needed.When you and your chickens are sleeping, bright lights can help.The lights may scare off some animals.
Step 12: Setting traps can be dangerous.
baited traps can be set if your chickens are being targeted frequently.The effectiveness of traps is questionable, so they should only be used in extreme circumstances.If you want traps to be effective, you have to take out an entire family.You need to keep the traps up for a while to catch all the animals.You should make sure to release animals that are far away from other people's homes.You don't want to make someone's problem worse.