How to Keep Animals Out of Chicken Cages
Chicken coops may protect chickens from the elements, but they are often quite poor at protecting them from predators. Chicken wire is not strong enough to deter many predators; some animals can easily dig under them and more clever predators can open simple latches. Since caged chickens have nowhere to run, a single predator can easily wipe out an entire coop. It is vital to construct a sturdy predator-proof coop in order to avoid heartbreak.
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Instructions
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Overlay all of the chicken wire (including the roof) with 19-gauge or thicker 1/2-inch galvanized hardware cloth. Attach the fencing directly to the coop's frame with 3/4-inch galvanized poultry fencing staples.
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Lay a concrete floor on the bottom of the chicken coop to prevent predators from digging inside. Lay a perimeter of 1-2 feet of concrete around the outside of chicken coop if a concrete floor is not practical. You can also extend the mesh fencing at least one foot underground to prevent digging.
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Secure the coop door with a key or combination padlock. Attach metal flashing to the bottom of the door and the walls to prevent animals from chewing through. The flashing should be at least 18 inches wide.
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Secure perimeter fencing by repairing any holes and making sure any doors can be securely closed. Lay 1 1/2 feet of concrete on the outside of the fence if possible to deter digging and extend at least 1 foot of mesh fencing underground if it is not.
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Reduce the presence of anything that might attract unwanted animals. Clean up any potential food sources in your yard such as spilled chicken feed, pet food or fallen fruit. Secure any trash cans by storing them in a protected area (such as a shed) or holding them closed with bungee cords. Control rat populations if they appear by trapping them (away from the chickens) and by promoting beneficial rodent populations (such as squirrels and chipmunks) who will compete with them for resources.
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Bring your chickens into their coop no later than dusk to avoid nocturnal predation. Collect any eggs daily and dispose of unwanted eggs in a secure trash can to avoid drawing egg-eating animals.
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Tips & Warnings
If you extend mesh fencing underground to prevent digging, then you can increase its effectiveness by including a 1-foot bend in the fencing at the bottom. This bend should face outward in the direction that the predators would be digging from -- away from the coop for coop wiring and away from the yard for perimeter fencing.
A strong perimeter fence reduces the chances of predators accessing the yard and ultimately threatening the chickens. Use a tall wooden fence (5 feet or higher) or a strong chain link fence to deter intrusion. Consider topping the fence with electric or barbed wire if animals are seen climbing over your fence. These additions may be illegal in some areas (especially if you share the fence with a neighbor), so check your local regulations before adding them.
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