Predator Control Basics

What predators are likely on my farm?

It depends on where you live: foxes, coyotes, raccoons, opossums, weasels, hawks, owls, snakes, bobcats, loose dogs and others. Each has favorite methods, such as digging, climbing, squeezing through gaps or striking from above.

Extension fact sheets from Oklahoma State and the University of Maryland describe signs left by different predators. Look at what was taken, how, when and what was left behind.

Keep a short log of each loss. Date, time, what happened and what you found make patterns easy to see. A pattern such as always at dawn tells you which fix to try first.

• Check tracks, droppings and feathers
• Note whether animals were taken or killed on site
• Note the time of day or night
• Look for holes, digging or torn wire

How do I make housing predator-resistant?

Use a fully enclosed coop or pen with strong wire, not just light mesh, and a secure roof. Bury or skirt wire along the ground where digging is a problem. Use latches that raccoons cannot open, and check the structure for gaps regularly.

Close animals in at dusk every night. A routine closing time matters as much as strong materials. Many losses happen when a door is left open for one night.

Doors and vents are often the weak points. Cover vents with strong wire rather than screen, and make sure that doors close tightly with no gap along the bottom or sides.

What fencing helps?

Good fencing for pastures and runs depends on the animals you keep and the predators in your area. Tight woven wire, extra height, buried or outward-turned bottoms and electric wire can all help when properly built.

Electric fencing needs correct installation, grounding and warning signs. Ask your extension office and follow the manufacturer's directions. Where electrical work rules apply, use a licensed professional.

A fence is only as good as its weakest point. Walk the whole line looking for sagging wire, washouts under the bottom and spots where a tree limb has fallen across it. Fix problems as soon as you see them.

What daily habits reduce predator attraction?

Store feed in closed containers. Collect eggs often. Clean up spilled feed and dead animals promptly and handle them safely, according to local rules on disposal. Keep garbage and compost secured.

Reduce nearby cover where predators can hide, such as thick brush against the coop. Keep lights, motion detectors or guard animals where they suit your setup.

Think about your chicks and young stock separately. Young animals are weaker, smaller and more attractive to predators, so they may need a more protected pen than adults until they are bigger.

• Closed feed containers
• Frequent egg collection
• Prompt, safe removal of dead animals
• Secure compost and garbage
• Less hiding cover near housing

Do guard animals help?

Dogs, llamas and donkeys are sometimes used to protect livestock, and they can work well in the right setting. They need training, care, fencing and a veterinarian, and not every animal is suited to the job.

Think about cost categories before you start: purchase or adoption, feed, veterinary care, training and fencing. Talk with your extension office or a farm that uses guardians before deciding.

Before you commit, visit a farm that already uses guard animals and ask what they would do differently. Real experience from a neighbor is worth more than a brochure.

What are the rules about trapping or shooting?

Rules differ by state, county and species. Some predators are protected, some can be removed only at certain times and many places require licenses for trapping. Discharging firearms may be restricted near homes and roads.

Contact your state wildlife agency before using any lethal or trapping method. Safety comes first: keep children and pets away, and get qualified help rather than improvising.

What should I do after a loss?

Make animals safe first. Find and fix the entry point before the next night. Photograph the scene and note what you see. Call your veterinarian for injured animals, and ask your state veterinarian or extension office about disease reporting rules for poultry and livestock.

Dispose of dead animals as local rules direct, wearing gloves. Wash hands thoroughly. After the loss, review your routine and housing to learn what failed.

Keep a basic kit of gloves, a flashlight and a notebook near your animal housing. When something goes wrong at night, you will want to act calmly and write down what you find.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Homestead & Small Farm Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.