Which predators go after poultry?
Threats vary by region. Raccoons, foxes, coyotes, opossums, skunks, weasels and minks, snakes, rats, hawks, owls, loose dogs and bobcats all take poultry in various places. Different animals attack at different times and in different ways.
Look for clues after a loss: tracks, droppings, missing versus dead birds, where feathers lie and how a fence was breached. Your extension office or a local wildlife agency can help you work out what you are dealing with.
Daytime and nighttime attackers differ. Hawks and loose dogs strike by day, while raccoons, foxes and owls work at night, so protection has to cover both. Free-ranging birds are most exposed during the day.
How do I secure the coop?
A coop is the last line of defense at night. Use hardware cloth, not chicken wire, over all openings, with solid framing and fasteners such as screws and washers. Use latches that require two steps to open, since raccoons are skilled with their hands.
Block gaps under doors and at the base, and secure the floor so that animals cannot dig or chew through. Check regularly for new gaps, rot and weak points. Take the time to go over the coop inch by inch at least once a season, including the roof, vents, corners and any spot where two materials meet, because predators find the one gap that you missed.
- Hardware cloth on every opening
- Two-step latches on all doors
- No gaps at corners, eaves or the base
- Floor and foundation that resist digging and chewing
How do I protect the run?
Runs need strong wire, a dig barrier such as a buried or ground-level apron and some kind of overhead cover. Birds in an open run are vulnerable to hawks and to animals that climb in.
Check corners, gates and the seam where fencing meets the ground. Predators test fences repeatedly and find the weak spot.
Walk the fence line and the base of the coop regularly and look for fresh digging, hair, tracks, torn wire or scratch marks. Early signs of testing give you a chance to reinforce a weak spot before a loss.
What nightly routine helps most?
Close the birds in at dusk every single night, and check the latch. Make this a firm habit, because one forgotten night is often when a loss happens. If you are away, arrange a reliable helper or consider an automatic door built for the purpose, and still check it.
Count birds at closing time. Remove feed and scraps from the run overnight so you do not attract rodents and in turn the animals that hunt them.
Remember feed. Spilled grain draws rats and mice, and they draw snakes and other hunters, so keep feed in sturdy containers and sweep up spills daily.
Do deterrents and guard animals work?
Lights, motion-activated devices and electric fencing can help in some situations, though animals can adapt, and electric fencing must be installed correctly and safely. Follow the maker's instructions and local rules, and hire a qualified person for any electrical wiring.
Guard animals such as dogs, and some other species, can protect flocks but need training, care and fencing of their own, and they are a long-term commitment. Ask experienced local keepers and your extension office before choosing.
Whatever deterrent you pick, change it up and keep up the basics. Clever animals learn that a light or sound is harmless, but they cannot get past strong wire and a latched door.
What if I lose birds anyway?
Examine the coop and run for the weak point, repair it and add protection right away, since predators often return. Remove any remaining carcasses safely, wearing gloves, and wash up afterward.
Check on surviving birds for injury and stress, and call a vet if any are hurt. Do not try to treat serious wounds at home beyond keeping the bird calm and safe until professional help is available. Write down what happened and when, since a pattern of timing helps you work out which animal is responsible and when the birds are most at risk.
What rules apply to dealing with wildlife?
Many wild animals and birds are protected, and rules on trapping, removing or killing them vary by state and sometimes by town. Birds of prey are usually protected by federal and state law. Never assume that you may trap or shoot an animal because it is attacking your birds.
Contact your state wildlife agency and your local animal control office before you take any action, and ask what is allowed and what permits are needed. They may also offer advice on nonlethal solutions.
Key takeaways
- Hardware cloth and two-step latches stop most predators.
- Close birds in every night and count them.
- Use dig barriers and overhead cover on runs.
- Repair the weak point right away after a loss.
- Check state and local wildlife rules before trapping or removing animals.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Homestead & Small Farm Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.