6 Layers of Protection for Your Chickens

Why predator-proofing matters

Backyard flocks attract more than just compliments from the neighbors—hawks, raccoons, foxes, and even the family dog can all spell disaster for your hens. A single breach can wipe out months (or years) of work, so building a layered defense is cheaper—and far less heartbreaking—than replacing birds later.

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Know your enemy

Predator	Active	Favorite tactic	Signs they’ve visited
Hawks / Owls	Day (hawks) / Night (owls)	Dive-bomb from above	Feather piles, missing heads
Raccoons	Night	Reach through wire, unlatch doors	Scattered bodies near coop
Foxes / Coyotes	Dusk & dawn	Dig under or pull wire	Tunnel holes, entire birds gone
Snakes / Rats	Night	Steal eggs, chicks	Eggshells licked clean, droppings

Tip: Keep a trail cam near the run for 72 hours—you’ll know exactly who’s casing the coop.

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The 6-layer “Hen-Shield” system

1. Secure feed & water
   Remove the buffet. Store feed in metal cans and switch to a rodent-proof treadle or gravity feeder—pests can’t trigger the step-plate, but your hens can.
   → Need options? Check our guide to the best predator-proof feeder designs.
   
2. Hardware-cloth armor
   Chicken wire keeps chickens in—hardware cloth keeps predators out. • ½-inch galvanized mesh — bury 12 in (30 cm) as an apron around the run.
   • Replace flimsy factory vents with cloth panels + screws & washers.
   
3. Lock-tight openings & doors
   Automatic coop doors create an extra barrier at night. Some are programmable and some are solar powered: shut at dusk, opens at dawn - no more “Did I lock up?” panic.
   • Padlocks or strong latches on run doors and gates (raccoons have thumb-like paws!).
   
4. Motion flood + solar string lights
   Sudden light startles nocturnal prowlers and helps you check the yard without stumbling.
5. The swivel-head decoy owl, or really any "scare-crow" method
   Daytime raptors see that 360° spin on our decoy owl and redirect elsewhere. Tip: Try placing it 10 ft above ground and move it weekly so hawks don’t learn its pattern.
   → Grab the exact owl we use
   
6. Perimeter fencing & bird spikes
   Our 3-foot fence around the chicken pen gives the flock an additional roaming zone outside of the run while keeping our own crazy dogs (and most ground predators) out. Some of the chickens are able to jump out, but they are also able to jump back in to safely escape my Belgian Malinois.
   • Bury chicken wire at the bottom of this or any of your structures for dig-proofing.
   • Add inexpensive bird-spike strips on top rails to limit places predatory birds can perch, while also stopping pigeons and starlings from hanging around to steal feed.

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Take It For a Spin

Check out the video of our owl guardian spinning into action on TikTok or Instagram Reels.

@theroostnextdoor Installed this owl to guard the flock… Now it’s out here like: Food thieves? Terminated. Creepy or genius? You decide. #ChickenTok #BackyardChickens #FarmLife #HomesteadHumor #ChickenKeeping #PredatorPrevention #OwlDecoy #FunnyFarm #ChickenCoop #TheRoostNextDoor #RuralLife #ChickenGuard ♬ original sound - Flock_Master

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Tools & materials shopping list

• 25 ft roll ½-inch hardware cloth (galvanized)
• Self-tapping screws + 1-in washers
• Automatic coop door (solar or programmable)
• Motion floodlight, solar
• Swivel-head decoy owl 🦉
• Bird-spike strips
• Metal trash can with tight-closing lid
  

Some links are affiliate links—thanks for supporting the flock!

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The Roost Next Door Gear spotlight

Colorado Chicken 20-oz Insulated Tumbler 🛒

Waking up early to check on your flock? Bring coffee in style. Shop now →

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Share your predator stories

What’s the sneakiest critter you’ve caught lurking near your coop? Photos encouraged—drop them in the comments!

Follow @theroostnextdoor on IG & TikTok for weekly hacks, memes, and chicken-math confessions.