Having chickens means eventually having interested predators. -Advertisement- Chickens are one of the best and most rewarding animals on the farm. Unfortunately, they’re also one of the most vulnerable. Many species of predators will go after your chickens. Exactly which predators you have to deal with will vary with your location and environment, but there […]

On the rural southwest Virginia road where my wife, Elaine, and I live, a number of folks raise chickens. Understandably, then, it’s common for us to exchange information on how our respective flocks are doing. So, several months ago, I wasn’t surprised to receive a frantic call from a neighbor that “some hawk is eating […]

Predators can’t be avoided, but coop doors can help. -Advertisement- If you’ve had chickens for very long, there’s a good possibility that you’ve lost at least one or two birds to a predator. Losing a favorite hen is never fun, and unfortunately sometimes the first sign of predator problems is when we lose that first […]

Predators know no “urban” or “rural” boundaries. Learn what predators you may see in your urban/suburban yard and how to protect your poultry. Some days it seems like poultry predators are everywhere. Not even your back yard is safe from suburban poultry predators who want nothing more than to go after your feathery friends. Here’s […]

From circumventing coyotes to outsmarting opposums, Maat van Uitert has 7 practical suggestions to protect ducks from predators. We used to think we just had a couple of predators on our farm, until I put out a game camera one night. Boy, were we wrong! Even if you think your flock is safe, you might […]

After working on this article a few times, and gathering photos for it, an ironic thing happened the day I was going to post it. We had our first ever deadly predator attack.  First.  Ever. After raising approximately 200-300 meat birds a year and providing a year-round, safe environment for about forty pet and breeding […]

Raccoons and foxes and hawks, oh my! No matter where you live, there are predators that are a danger to your flock of chickens.  Most people expect predators in rural settings, but they are also in urban and suburban settings. Most are sneaky, lurking at different hours of the day or night, depending on the […]

Last week I had my first close-encounter with a predator…  Even though I allow my flock to free range during the day and I live among a slew of predators (fox, raccoon, hawk, etc..), I’ve not had to deal with an actual predator attack until now. I do realize that by allowing the hens full […]

by Rebecca Nickols from the garden-roof coop Cats are hunters and predators by a natural instinct. It’s what cats do… If you have a problem with mice in your house or barn, then an organic rodent controlling cat is a godsend. But if you enjoy bird watching and backyard chicken raising then this friendly pet could be […]

Whether chickens free-range or are primarily confined to the coop and run, protecting them from predators can be one of the most challenging aspects of backyard chicken-keeping. An awareness of coop security basics goes a long way towards keeping backyard pets safe from unwelcome, hungry visitors 1. Don’t allow Chickens to Roost Outside  Chickens are […]