We've all had to deal with predators taking our chickens at least once. Maybe, when that happened, you upgraded your chicken coop security, or maybe you did something about the predator. Many people choose to dispatch of dangerous animals by shooting or trapping them, but I don't agree with this. How would you feel if, for example, you went shopping at a local general store and someone came and attacked you for shopping there? The animals are just trying to survive. No one wants them to have our precious chickens, though. There are other ways of dealing with predators. In this article, I'll describe a few ways you can prevent predators from getting your chickens, without having to harm any animals.
1) Make your coop predator-proof. You can do this by adding screens to your windows; putting locks or carabiners on doors and laying boxes; using an automatic coop door that you won't risk forgetting to close.
2) Keep your chickens in a run during the day when you are not at home. A run is a large wire pen with a roof and secure walls, connected to your coop so the chickens can go back and forth. The run provides a safe outdoor space for the chickens to roam while still being safe from hawks and other daring diurnal predators. The chickens can free-range when you are at home (doing yard work, reading on the patio) and you can watch for danger.
3) Don't leave chicken feed outside especially at night. The uneaten chicken feed should be removed from the coop, run, or vicinity and locked up tightly. Barrels/bags of feed should be secured in a closed barn so animals cannot get in. Even if they smell the food and attempt to get it, they will be discouraged when they can't. Leaving feed in or near the coop can attract omnivores like bears and raccoons, which will eat whatever they can get their paws on.
4) In serious cases where the predators are persistent, electric fencing may be an option. It should be placed around the coop and pen and will help detour ground predators. It should go several inches into the ground and be multiple feet high. It also needs to be taut, not limp and loose, because chickens and other animals could get tangled in it and damage themselves or the fence.
Please do not resort to killing or relocating the predators until a last resort, when things like these listed have been tried and failed. The animals are just trying to feed themselves and their babies, and they don't know any better. Hope this helped you out!
Edit: added/changed images
*Pictures courtesy of Copilot AI image generator
1) Make your coop predator-proof. You can do this by adding screens to your windows; putting locks or carabiners on doors and laying boxes; using an automatic coop door that you won't risk forgetting to close.
2) Keep your chickens in a run during the day when you are not at home. A run is a large wire pen with a roof and secure walls, connected to your coop so the chickens can go back and forth. The run provides a safe outdoor space for the chickens to roam while still being safe from hawks and other daring diurnal predators. The chickens can free-range when you are at home (doing yard work, reading on the patio) and you can watch for danger.
3) Don't leave chicken feed outside especially at night. The uneaten chicken feed should be removed from the coop, run, or vicinity and locked up tightly. Barrels/bags of feed should be secured in a closed barn so animals cannot get in. Even if they smell the food and attempt to get it, they will be discouraged when they can't. Leaving feed in or near the coop can attract omnivores like bears and raccoons, which will eat whatever they can get their paws on.
4) In serious cases where the predators are persistent, electric fencing may be an option. It should be placed around the coop and pen and will help detour ground predators. It should go several inches into the ground and be multiple feet high. It also needs to be taut, not limp and loose, because chickens and other animals could get tangled in it and damage themselves or the fence.
Please do not resort to killing or relocating the predators until a last resort, when things like these listed have been tried and failed. The animals are just trying to feed themselves and their babies, and they don't know any better. Hope this helped you out!
Edit: added/changed images
*Pictures courtesy of Copilot AI image generator
