Predator-Proofing a Chicken Coop and Run

Predators get in four ways: through weak mesh, under the fence, over the top and through doors left open. Use strong welded mesh rather than chicken wire, bury it or add a mesh apron, roof or net the run, fit latches a paw can't open, and lock the flock in every evening. Which predators you face depends on where you live.

Mesh, apron, roof and a latch: four doors closed.

Four ways in, four fixes.

Predator-proofing at a glance
Through the mesh	Welded mesh with small holes, not chicken wire
Under the fence	Bury the mesh or peg an apron outward
Over the top	Roof or strong netting
Through the door	Two-step latches; lock up at dusk
Attractions	Spilled feed brings rats; tidy up daily

Know Your Local Predators

Which animals take poultry depends on where you live. Foxes are the main threat across much of Europe and Australia; raccoons, coyotes, opossums, skunks and bobcats in North America; badgers, mink, stoats and weasels in the UK and parts of Europe; snakes and monitor lizards in warmer regions; and rats, birds of prey and dogs almost everywhere. Ask neighbors who keep hens what they lose birds to.

Many native predators are protected by law, so prevention is both kinder and safer than trying to control them. Never set traps or poisons without checking the law where you live.

Mesh: Strong and Small

Chicken wire keeps hens in, but foxes and raccoons can tear it and reach through it. Welded mesh (often called hardware cloth) with small holes is much stronger. Small holes also keep out rats, weasels and snakes, and stop paws reaching in to grab a bird sleeping near the side. Fix it to the frame with staples or screws and washers, not just a few ties.

Stopping Diggers

Foxes, badgers and dogs dig under fences. Two common answers:

Bury the mesh: many keepers sink it around 12 inches (30 cm) into the ground, ideally turned outward at the bottom.
Lay an apron: peg a strip of mesh flat on the ground around the outside of the run, so a digger hits wire. Grass grows through it and hides it.

A solid floor, or mesh under the whole run, is the strongest option for small runs. Check the base regularly for new holes.

Over the Top

Foxes and raccoons climb, and hawks and other birds of prey drop in from above. A solid roof keeps the run dry and keeps out climbers, birds of prey and wild birds (useful during bird flu outbreaks). Netting works against birds of prey on larger runs but won't stop climbers. Electric poultry netting around a larger free-range area deters many ground predators, if it's kept energized and free of grass.

The Law: Rules Differ by Country

Even a few pet hens can come with legal duties, mainly so that officials can reach keepers during a bird flu outbreak. Check what applies where you live before the birds arrive.

United Kingdom: In England and Wales you must register with APHA within one month of keeping poultry, whatever the number of birds and even if they are pets (see registering a small flock on gov.uk). Scotland has its own kept-bird register, and Northern Ireland keepers register with DAERA. During outbreaks, bird flu housing orders and prevention zones apply to backyard flocks too.
United States: There is no federal registration for backyard flocks, but city or county zoning often limits numbers, roosters and coop placement, and some states ask for premises registration. Your state department of agriculture or state veterinarian can tell you what applies.
Elsewhere: Ireland requires every poultry keeper, even with one or two birds, to register with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Canada (CFIA and your province), Australia (your state or territory agriculture department) and New Zealand (Ministry for Primary Industries) have their own rules, especially during bird flu outbreaks.

Kitchen scraps: don't feed kitchen scraps to poultry. In the UK and the EU it is illegal, even for pet hens and even for vegetable leftovers, and many other countries restrict it because food waste can spread serious animal diseases.

Rules change, so check with your national authority before you buy.

Predator-Proofing Kit

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Welded mesh and heavy-duty staples build walls and aprons that hold. Run netting or a solid roof covers the top. Two-step latches defeat clever paws, and an automatic door with a light sensor locks up at dusk even when you're late home. Electric poultry netting protects a bigger ranging area.

Habits That Close the Gaps

Lock hens in every evening at dusk, without exception; many losses happen on the one night it's forgotten.
Let hens out after sunrise, not at first light, when foxes are still about.
Clear spilled feed daily and store feed in metal bins: food attracts rats, which take eggs and chicks and draw bigger predators.
Collect eggs daily.
Walk the fence line weekly for holes, loose mesh and digging.
Keep dogs, yours and the neighbors', away from the run; see dogs and livestock.

Frequently Asked Questions

Predator questions from backyard keepers.

Is chicken wire strong enough for a run?

Not against predators. Foxes, raccoons and dogs can tear it, and paws reach through it. Use welded mesh with small holes.

How deep should I bury the mesh?

Many keepers bury it around 12 inches (30 cm), or lay a mesh apron flat on the ground around the outside instead. Both stop most diggers.

Do I need a roof on my run?

A solid roof keeps out climbers, birds of prey and wild birds, and keeps the run dry. Netting works against birds of prey but not climbers.

What time should I lock my hens in?

At dusk every evening, once they've gone in to roost. An automatic door with a light sensor helps if you're often late.

Can I trap the fox or raccoon?

Many predators are protected, and trapping and killing rules vary. Prevention is the safer route; check your local law before doing anything else.

Do rats count as predators?

Yes. Rats take eggs and chicks, spoil feed and attract bigger predators. Clear spilled feed and use rat-resistant feeders.