As a guardian of your poultry flock, protecting your feathered friends from backyard predators around the clock is crucial. Even in a bustling urban setting, it’s often not a question of “if” but “when” predators will arrive for their chicken dinner.
Here are a few animals that could be on the hunt for your chickens (or their eggs): Birds of prey, dogs, snakes, cats, jackal, serval, vervets, genets, mongoose, rats and mice (that can steal the eggs or spread disease), these are just a few of the many out there. But, don’t despair there is things you can do mitigate the risks.
Here are a few things you can do to help “save your chickens”:
Secure Your Coop: Guarantee your chicken enclosure is robust and impervious to predators. Employ durable materials such as hardware cloth to shield windows and vents. Rectify any openings or crevices in the coop that predators could exploit.
Nighttime Security: Most, not all, predators hunt at night so whilst your chickens can roam free-range during the day, they can sleep securely at night.
Motion-Activated Lights and Alarms: Set up motion-activated lights or quiet alarms in the vicinity of the coop. This serves to surprise potential predators and notify you of their presence.
Regular inspections: Conduct regular inspections of the coop and surrounding area for signs of damage or intrusion. Fix any issues promptly.
Eliminate Temptations: Maintain the vicinity around the coop tidy and free of food scraps and nuts or fruit that have dropped from surrounding trees, which might entice predators. Store chicken feed securely in containers that are impervious to rodents.
Secure Outdoor Enclosure: If your chickens utilise an outdoor run, ensure its security by adding a roof or wire mesh overhead and burying wire mesh along the bottom to deter digging. You can also create a shelter for them to seek refuge under during the day so they are free to roam, but can also hide under a shelter to ensure they can avoid birds of prey.
By putting these measures into practice, you can aid in safeguarding your chickens, ensuring they remain protected from potential predators.
