The prime step to take is to identify the predators of your area such as possums, hawks, raccoons, snakes, owls, coyotes which are common. Recognition of the enemy can help you to get into the right direction of adopting appropriate ways for the defense of your chickens. Some of the predators are canny while some are carpetbaggers.
How to keep chickens safe in a chicken coop?
So to keep chickens safe, a need is to cover the coop with the help of a wire mesh. But if you want to provide shade to your chickens, you can also use trap sheets instead of chicken wire.
How to protect chickens from hawks?
One of the best ways to protect chickens from hawks, owls, and eagles is to make sure your chickens have lots of places to hide when a predator is flying overhead. Bushes, large grasses, decks, and overhangs can be a perfect place to take shelter.
A rooster is a natural protector who’ll do everything possible to keep the chickens out of harm’s way. When the rooster sees a hawk, he sounds an alarm and gathers the chickens together in a safe place. He moves in front of them, securing them till the bird is gone. Of course, not all roosters can do this.
Moreover, what are the Predators of chickens?
One thought is that Many predators such as hawks or owls dive right in from the sky and will take your chickens away. Not only is this, but some predators like possums and snakes are excellent climbers.
Why do we keep backyard chickens?
In a nutshell, when we keep backyard chickens, we put an all-you-can-eat buffet in our backyards. For a predator, life is tough. They’ve got to find a food source and then use all their tools to catch that food. Yes, they’re sated at that point, but hunger is never far away. Your backyard coop is their grocery store., and easy pickings!