Placing a roof over the run is the best way to keep predators from landing or climbing into the chicken run.
Keeping poultry safe without a roof.
Cut pieces of number 4 hardware cloth the galvanized steel kind with 1 4 inch squares to size to securely cover any holes or spots that might provide access to small predators like weasels who can fit through a hole the diameter of a dime and secure them with sturdy construction staples.
Holes and weak spots.
During the 1950 s hybrid chickens were created that could produce large numbers.
Eggs were valued as an essential part of the diet and were a valuable commodity that could easily be produced at home.
With a bit of elbow grease and a few tips your girls will be safe from sharp teeth.
Poultry fencing or an electric fence.
It s also impossible for pets or poultry to fit inside so they re safe for other animals.
Netting can also help to deter but it is not always failproof.
A determined hungry animal can and will break through chicken wire.
A good fence should be at least 6 feet high if it s not electrified and ideally have an outward sloping top to prevent the fox from climbing over into your chicken run.
When building your run make sure you bury hardware mesh at least 2 feet deep around the compound 4 feet deep would be ideal.
Accommodation a warm safe and dry home is a must for any poultry providing a place where they can rest perch and lay in peace and quiet.
And they don t harm the environment.
How do you keep backyard chickens safe from poultry predators.
Every day be sure the chickens are safely locked into their coop from nightfall until morning.
Batten down the hatches.
For those reasons this is my preferred method of rodent control.
Chicken wire will keep chickens in.
It isn t difficult to build a chicken run or pen but it is critical to not only keep your chickens safe from predators but also to keep your lawn garden and landscaping safe from your chickens who take great delight in digging up small plants munching on leaves and scratching through mulch.
Cut off their food supply.
So the best ways to keep them out of your chickens way is simple.
Houses coops and sheds all work well as accommodation for your poultry and depending on the space available and number of birds you have some will work better than others.
Hardware mesh will keep predators out.
In days gone by as well as growing your own vegetables it was popular for households to keep a small flock of chickens in the back garden to produce eggs and the occasional bird for the table.
The main advantages are that it s relatively quick and the rat is killed without blood being spilled which makes cleaning up easy.
Also inspect the coop and repair any small holes.