How to Protect Chickens From Predators

Chickens can be easy prey for hawks, foxes, opossums, skunks, dogs and cats. Here's how to protect your fowl from foul play.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Chicken Coops
• Chicken Wire
• Cement Blocks
• Wooden Posts
• Lumber
• Heavy-duty Staplers
• Common Nails
• Hammers

1. Provide a roosting area inside a barn or shed. The roost needs to be at least 4 feet from ground level.
2. Use a post or thick branch placed horizontally in a corner of a shed for an adequate roost.
3. Build a hen house that can be shut up at night when hens are roosting.
4. Fence in an outside chicken run with chicken wire to keep predators out.
5. Secure chicken wire across the top of the run as well.
6. Nail 2 by 6 boards around the base of the chicken run, and staple wire to the boards. This will keep animals from pushing their way in under the fence.
7. Prevent dogs from digging under the pen by placing cement cap blocks along the edge of the pen.

Tips & Warnings

• Train dogs not to run at chickens even in play; this can quickly create a bad habit.