Your chickens are vulnerable to many hazards even in your backyard.
Here’s a comprehensive list of what you need to be aware of.
You don’t need to do all of these things, however you do need to consider which techniques will suit your area and be best for their safety before you bring chickens to their new home.
Know the enemy: be aware of potential predators in your area.
This depends upon where you live – urban, peri-urban, rural-residential or rural. The most common predators to watch out for are hawks, eagles, foxes, cats, goannas, snakes and even the occasional wild dog.
Some of these predators are extremely smart and have even worked out ways around the usual deterrent methods. Others are simply opportunists who prey on unsuspecting chickens. Both types of predators can be thwarted, but you just have to out-think them.
Tip 1: Bury the bottom of the Chicken Wire
If you’re building your own chicken house then it is important to remember that ground-based predators will try to dig under the run to get to your girls.
Chicken wire is designed to keep your ladies in, however a determined predator can and will break through it.
It is recommended that you use stronger galvanised wire mesh when building your chicken run.
Galvanised wire won’t rust; therefore it will last longer and protect the chickens for longer. Remember that this applies to your chicken coop even if you free range your birds.
To ensure your girls are secure choose wire mesh with holes no larger than 10mm diameter as this will deter snakes as well as larger animals. Bury the galvanised mesh at least 20cm into the ground with ideal being between 20cm – 40cm deep. This will frustrate most predators and prevent them from digging through to the chickens.
You will need make sure that either the floor of your hen house is made of the same galvanised mesh, or you have buried the surrounding wire mesh in the ground.
This is to stop the predators getting to your girls while they roost at night.
Determined predators like foxes can still chew through wire so check your chicken wire regularly.
Tip 2: Lock up your hens at night
This is the most important tip we can give you. Even if they roam freely about the garden during the day, lock your ladies up at night!
Make sure you use a mechanism that can not be opened by intelligent creatures.
We have all seen those videos of animals opening gates – especially those pesky horses who just do not want to play nicely in their part of the yard!
Using something as simple as a carabiner lock to keep them in will ensure only creatures with opposable thumbs get through that gate!
Tip 3: Block any access holes
Make sure you regularly check your coop for any access holes.
Rats, mice and snakes are notorious for breaking into chicken coops.
The eggs are easy food for these pests and in most cases the chook guarding these eggs either ends up injured, or worse, while protecting them.
Block up any holes in ways that stop these small creatures getting through.
For example, steel wool is great for keeping out rodents, because even though they will make a good go of chewing through it, the fact that it’s a mass of smaller pieces means that the chewing process becomes painful for the rat, which is a good deterrent.
However hunger is an excellent incentive so they may persist – check the coop on a regular basis for any attempts at entry and reinforce it by re-blocking any holes.
Tip 4: Be alert for snakes
We do, after all, live in Australia and snakes are part of our lives, even in peri-urban areas.
Both venomous and non-venomous snakes will be looking for entry to your chook house. They’re after eggs and chicks.
And if there are rats and mice around you will attract snakes. Although snakes can (usefully) keep levels of these vermin down they also present risks to both your chickens and to you.
When dealing with a snake it’s best to get professionals to remove it. That way you aren’t putting yourself or anyone else at risk by attempting to remove it yourself.
Tip 5: Fit motion Sensing Lights
Nocturnal predators such as foxes, cats and wild dogs will generally only attack at night.
You can fit solar powered motion detecting lights to your coop to stop these predators from attacking.
A light turning on when it detects motion near the coop will deter most night-time predators.
They fear being spotted because, not only does it ruin their stealthy work, they recognise that it also opens them to attack.
Tip 6: Use Electric Fences
If you have a larger number of chickens and plan to free range them, you can erect an electric fence to keep the predators away.
A simple wire about 15cm off the ground will deter most predators. This method can also be applied to the chicken coop. Turn the electric fence on at night to keep foxes and dogs from attempting to dig under the coop.
Tip 7: Collect your Eggs Daily
A lot of predators will break into your coop just to get the eggs.
By collecting them daily you ensure that there are no tasty morsels left lying around while you chooks roam free.
When you are actively walking around the coop at least once a day this also deters predators, especially rats and mice, who will be less likely to also hang around the ladies if they see you doing it!
Tip 8: Cover the coop
If you live in an area with lots of hawks, owls and eagles then you will have to cover your chicken coop to stop your girls from becoming lunch.
There are multiple ways to enclose your run. The simplest option is chicken wire – however galavanised mesh, as mentioned previously, may be a better option.
This allows your girls to get some sunshine whilst also being protected.
You can cover the top of the coop using a tarp or tin if you’d like to give them extra shade. Remember that some sun is good for them though!
Tip 10: Get a Rooster
Roosters are always a touchy subject, whether you live in the city, urban or rural areas.
A lot of cities have restrictions on the housing of roosters so it is best to check first with your local council on the rules and regulations before purchasing one .
It’s also a good idea to check with your close neighbours or inform them of what you are doing. The last thing you need are angry neighbours because a pesky rooster is crowing at all hours of the day and night.
A good rooster will protect his ladies, often giving his life to save theirs. Not to mention all the fluffy chicks you could have if you let the girls have a rooster!
Tip 11: Use a Guard Dog
A good guard dog can do the same job as a rooster – only better because they won’t be crowing at all hours.
Dogs are a natural deterrent for most predators; the scent alone will keep many away. This let’s your flock wander around your yard in peace. Dogs can range further from the hens as well, allowing their scent to be detected further away from the hens.
Before you go leaving your hens and dog together, make sure they are well socialised and that any negative behaviour is dealt with quickly and firmly.
You don’t want your guard dog turning into a predator.
Tip 12: Install safety shelters
Some birds of prey can get extremely bold or desperate and will attack no matter what.
Make a couple of safety shelters which your girls can run to hide under in such cases.
Old pallets put on some blocks can work, or if you are restricted for space simple items like old nesting boxes or crates will do the trick. Tarp placed over something is also a simple trick – or some shrubs that they can hide in is also an ideal solution.
Tip 13: Check your biosecurity
Make sure you clean your chook pen regularly; this includes removing any excess feed, scraps and manure that may be lying around.
Rats and mice are attracted to chicken coops which are poorly maintained – the leftovers are just too tempting – they can and will start eating the eggs and chicks.
They are also attracted to your compost so keep the bin covered.
Rats and mice are nocturnal creatures, so most of their activities will be during the night. If you do see them during the day then it is likely that you have a serious problem.
In general, keep an eye on your hen’s behaviour.
If they are acting strangely there’s a good chance they are frightened by something.
Once you are alert to signs of potential ‘infestation’ or threat then you can make sure you’ve got them covered!