Keeping your flock safe from Predators & Pests

Spring is finally here, and for many people, that means new chicks and pullets. For others, it's time for a break from the coop and a little fresh air. Whether you're learning the ropes or a poultry professional, don't let predators and pests catch you and your flock off guard.

Possums: Possums arrive at night and can dig underneath pens, killing an entire flock, especially chicks. They are also talented egg stealers. Signs that you've had possums in your coop or run include finding chickens with a bite in their thigh or missing a leg, or worse, finding only feathers and missing an entire chicken.

Raccoons: Raccoons are very persistent and clever and work to find just about any opening to get into a pen. In fact, they will lure chickens to the wire, reach through and grab the chicken, killing it very quickly. Also, because they have opposable thumbs, raccoons are very good at opening latches. A sign that you've had a raccoon is finding chickens with missing heads or limbs, ripped open necks and breasts and missing eggs.

Foxes: People who live close to an undeveloped area or near a vacant lot or perhaps a railway might be surprised to find out there is a high probably that foxes are living nearby. Foxes are very crafty and will stake out coops for days or even weeks and attack in the daytime, making them a serious predator. If you don't have chickens in runs and they're out semi-unprotected, foxes will grab them and kill them. Foxes are excellent at digging and can climb surprisingly well. Signs that you have had a fox include broken necks, feathers strewn around the ground and missing chickens, and feathers in areas away from the coop.

Coyotes: Coyote attacks will be similar to those of foxes, except they are not good climbers. They are, however, very skilled diggers.

Stray dogs: Not only are stray dogs themselves a predator, but they can cause your flock to be more susceptible to other predators as well. Stray dogs that run into your yard can scare and scatter your chickens, causing them to take flight, get on rooftops, jump on fences and go into trees. This will make them more prone to be subjected to other types of predators that might be lurking around.

Hawks & Owls: Hawks are very prevalent and can take out a chicken quite quickly since they're not expecting an attack from above. Just as hawks will often prey on songbirds that feed at feeders, they'll swoop down and attack chickens that are outside the coop or run. Owls are very similar to hawks in their attacks, but will attack during the night, whereas hawks attack in the day.

KEEPING YOUR FLOCK SAFE
An important part of keeping your flock safe from predators is having an enclosure or run already built. Often people will build their coop and let their chickens roam the backyard, putting them in the coop at night, but not having an area that's secure during the day. If you do this, you have an increased risk of predator attacks. Just because it's light outside, doesn't mean your chickens are safe. Listed below are a few tips to help you protect your birds and build a sturdy, effective coop and run.

• Use a small welded wire for coops and enclosures—One inch by half an inch with a 16 or an 18 gauge is best. This will prevent a lot of predators from reaching through the wire and will last a long time.
• Bury the wire at least 6 inches in the ground or have a very solid foundation so predators cannot dig underground or under the perimeter and get in to the chicken coop.
• Use a spring latch to prevent animals from accidentally or intentionally opening gates.
• Set up motion sensor lights and objects that move such as pinwheels or flags to startle predators.
• If you free-range your chickens during the day, be sure the enclosure is secure. Put a fence up and/or make sure you or somebody is outside watching them. Many people introduce their pet dogs to their chickens and train them to protect the flock from other predators.
• Be sure all your birds are safely locked into the coop at night.