If you’ve had chickens for more than a week, you already know: everything wants a bite of your birds. Whether you’re dealing with raccoons, coyotes, or hawks from above—keeping your flock safe isn’t optional. It’s part of the job.
But predator-proofing doesn’t have to be overbuilt or overwhelming. With a few smart choices, you can give your birds the safety they need and still keep things simple and low-maintenance.
Let’s walk through the most effective ways to predator-proof your coop and run—based on what actually works for real-life backyard chicken keepers.
1. Use Hardware Cloth (Not Chicken Wire)
Here’s the truth: chicken wire keeps chickens in—but it doesn’t keep predators out. Raccoons can reach right through it. Coyotes can tear through it. And over time, it rusts, bends, and fails.
What you need is ½" galvanized hardware cloth—it's sturdy, safe, and built to last through all four seasons.
Use it for:
- Coop vents and windows
- Entire chicken run walls and roof
- An underground barrier (more on that next)
2. Bury Your Wire 1 ft Down, 1 ft Out
Predators don’t just climb—they dig. Foxes, coyotes, and even dogs will try tunneling into your run. The best defense? A buried hardware cloth “apron.”
Here’s how to do it right:
- Dig a trench 12 inches deep around your run
- Extend hardware cloth down 1 foot, and out 1 foot away from the run walls
- Fill the trench back in tight and secure the mesh with landscape staples or bricks
3. Build an Elevated Coop with a Solid Floor
An elevated coop adds a layer of security most predators can’t easily get around.
Look for:
- A solid floor (not open slats) that can’t be chewed or dug through
- Doors with lockable latches (raccoons know how to slide bolts—seriously)
- Vent openings covered with hardware cloth
Your coop should be a true safe zone where your flock can rest easy at night.
4. Don’t Forget the Sky
Aerial predators are quiet, fast, and deadly—especially if you free-range your birds or use an open-top run.
You can protect your flock by:
- Adding netting or hardware cloth across the top of your run
- Hanging reflective tape, old CDs, or scare-eye balloons around the yard
- Providing natural cover—shrubs, low branches, and shady corners for quick hiding
5. Predator Alarms, Lights & Motion Sensors
Modern homesteaders are using tech to their advantage. Motion-activated lights or alarms can keep predators from creeping too close after dark.
Try:
- Solar flashing lights that mimic animal eyes
- Motion-triggered sprinklers or sirens to spook nighttime visitors
- A trail cam to keep tabs on what’s lurking around
These don’t replace good fencing—but they give you a valuable heads-up.
6. Lock Down Your Chicken Run
Your run is your daytime defense line. Make sure it’s built to handle:
- Burrowing: See tip #2—bury that mesh!
- Climbing & flying: Fully enclose the top with wire or strong netting
- Forcing doors: Use latches that click shut and lock—not just slide bolts
7. Free-Range When You Can Be There
We’re big believers in giving chickens room to roam—but it has to be done safely.
- Only let your flock free-range when you or your dog are nearby
- Let them out midday—not at dawn or dusk, when predators are most active
- Stick to open, visible spaces where you can hear or see trouble coming
A few hours a day of safe free-ranging goes a long way—just plan it around your routine.
8. Bonus Layers: Guardian Dogs, Roosters & Fencing
Depending on your setup and space, extra protection might look like:
- A well-trained livestock guardian dog
- Electric fencing for full-perimeter defense
- A good rooster, who’ll sound the alarm and defend the flock (though not always HOA-approved)
9. Keep It Clean to Keep Pests Away
You might not think of feed spills as a predator risk, but they are. Rodents love a messy coop—and they attract bigger, nastier predators in turn.
Using a feeder and waterer like ours—designed to limit waste and stay clean—makes a big difference. No soaked bedding, no puddles, no cracked corn all over the run.
Cleaner setup = fewer pests = safer flock.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a concrete bunker to keep your flock safe. You just need a setup that makes it harder for predators to succeed.
Layer your defenses: strong mesh, solid coop, buried wire, and smart routines. Add extras if you need them. And remember—this is all part of good husbandry.
At The Poultry Supply Co., we build gear that helps keep your flock cleaner, safer, and happier—so you can worry less and enjoy your birds more.
Because a well-loved flock is a well-protected one.
