How to Protect Your Backyard Chickens

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By now you should have some basic information on the ‘musts’ for building a chicken coop. This includes choosing the best type of coop for your preferences in the first place, choosing the correct materials that will enable you to keep costs down, and then how to build a chicken coop that will last for years to come.

You don’t want to spend any more money than you have to, so these are vital items to consider when building your chicken coop.

There are certain things to consider about keeping your chickens protected, once you have decided on the materials you intend to build with. There is a very high chance that a predator will come around at some point, so protection is a key element with backyard chickens.

Assessing the potential predators in your area is the first thing you need to do. Coyotes, foxes, larger dogs, or rodents are known predators of chickens and chances are they may try and dig underneath the fence of your chicken area and get to your chicken coop.

If you are unsure of the predators in your area, you may ask neighbors about potential problems so that you can address them properly. It makes it easier to take proper precautionary measures when you know what you are dealing with.

Coop Placement

Placing your coop in a safe area is important, when it comes to dealing with predators. Previously we discussed that location is partially determined by the layout of your land, but a close distance is a protective measure that allows you to keep a closer eye on your chickens, for their safety. If they are near your house, within your eyesight, it will make it easier to scare any would-be predators away.

A mobile chicken coop comes in handy for this purpose because it can easily be moved to an area where you can keep an eye on them while doing other things, or they can be moved to a safely enclosed area.

Type of Fence

It’s also vital that you consider fencing part of building the proper chicken coop. Predators determine the kind of fencing materials you will need. Research the different types of fences so that you can decide which fencing will protect your chicken coop from the predators in your area.

As mentioned above, if you’re going to encounter digging animals, it will be most important that you build the house low enough into the ground that it’s difficult for them to burrow underneath it.

Larger predatory animals mandate a fence that’s incredibly sturdy, because they can get into lighter weight versions. It’s vital that your needs are considered when researching the different fencing choices. If you think you’re protecting your chickens, and haven’t considered these factors, you have done nothing but waste your money on decorating the chicken coop.

Fencing and protection should be foremost in your mind when it comes to building the perfect chicken coop. If a predator is able to penetrate your fencing, you may find that building the perfect chicken coop did nothing to protect your chickens.