All About Predator Proofing Your Backyard Chicken Coop and Run 

I did a hardware cloth barrier all around my coop. I had some concrete blocks and put them on top of the wire and planted flowers in the j blocks and pavers on areas I needed to stand to get in the coop. I had chickens in this coop for two years. I had a big predator load, raccoons, possums,farrow cats and even a bob cat. None we’re able to get into the coop. I do have security cameras so I am aware of all predators. I have just made a large run that is attached to the original run. I plan to run the wire around the 6 ft privacy fence I put bird netting over the top of the new run as I have had hawks try to get my girls. All your ideas are great. I had a old tent frame. I used this frame to hold the bird netting up and then attached to my 6 ft. Fence.

The pavers look clean & decorated, nice place for pots. Sometimes ppl pour concrete that extend beyond the coop area like ur pavers. I like to do that & have lips to set coop on & put a layer of "earth", mixing sand, peat, (ground up) yard clippings includes straw & leaves! On skirt outside I plant things that grow shallow roots. Stuff chickens munch

Great video. We are new to raising chickens. Purchased the defender chicken coop from TSC. We have an 8 week old flock of 11, 10 hens and a cockerel. Your video was very informative and enjoyable. We installed a 2 foot predator apron around the run and coop, we are very concerned about protecting the flock. The challenge now is ground squirrels tunneling up in the run. I’m hoping the flock will keep them at bay.

I have hardwire cloth for WHOLE yard and vents...including over the top of the yard

I’m also right outside SA.. getting my first chickens this week. Your advice is awesome! Thank you!

You are amazing! Idk how you were able to get all that out and never lose your train of thought!! I found myself taking breaths when I thought you needed to come up for air lol 🤭 Seriously though, such good info! Thank you so much for this! I just subscribed and will continue binge watching all weekend 👍😊🐔🦚❤

Great video. Setting mine up on pavers like yours. Great idea. Do you recall the name of your coop and where you purchased it? Our neighbor is about to purchase 8 chicks and will need something bigger than what I have for my four. Thanks.

Great information! Thank you for taking the time to do these videos ❤️

I have another house for a single chicken 4x4 House with a 8 ft run. On the bottom I put hardware cloth on top of it I have a 3 inch layer of construction sand to protect her feet. No foot injury’s for the last 8 months that she has lived there. In addition I have solar motion lights. It looks like you have it all covered. Nice job.

I always have a smile on my face when Im watching your videos 🌺 🌸 🌼 🌻 🌞 thanks for being awesome

Thank you for all your sharing. I hope your new puppy has learned a lesson! Your girls are so lucky to have you!

I m coming up on my 10 year anniversary of keeping chicken

My only thing I did different, I ran a whether mini goats & a potbelly pig, and several types birds. Goats stomp snakes, pig ate them. Goats & pigs chased small predators. Day time stuff my goose girls ran off. I had over an acre for my critters (rabbit hutches around the coop). Loved my critters! I would sit & pet my kiddos

In the process of setting up one of these coops. After putting pavers under coop, did you also use chicken wire on bottom sides of the coop under the pavers? Did you use tent anchors to hold it down?

Is your coop sitting on the pavers? Or are the pavers just around the coop? Ty

you could take your fencing for the rabbits, and run it vertically and then run some horizontally which would make those gaps smaller. This would also even reinforce the sturdiness that it already has.

I have 5 chickens a run around their house. In addition I have a 6 ft. High privacy fence around the yard. I have security cameras. On those cameras I have saw in my yard a bob cat, raccoon, possums, hawks, and armadillo. All have breached the fence but have never got into my runs. I have hardware cloth. In addition I have a 2 ft border of hardware cloth attached to the bottom of the run. On top of that I have a concert block garden around the coop. Where I have to walk to collect eggs or enter the run I have paver blocks. In the garden I have planted tall plants to give the chickens shade as I live in Fl. Mine free range when I can sit with them for security.

You're so lucky to get away with the coop and set up you have. We had to build "Chicken Knox" and no longer free range. My girls have a coop that's 4x10 and then a run that's 8x10, both of which has 1/2" hardware cloth attached with screws and washers. Blessed to have a hubby that supports "our" hobby. 🤣

Great videos, just recently found you and am a new subscriber. From personal experience for arial predators I use Stromberg's Aviary Netting. Expensive but excellent quality, easy to work with (no tangling), heavy-duty, lasts for years. Doesn't get wild birds caught in it. I paid $120.00 for 1" mesh, 25' x 25'. They have 2" mesh 25' x 50' on sale for $45.00. Hawks are a major concern where I live and this netting has kept them from getting my chickens. I will not use the cheap nylon netting - frustrating to work with and wild birds can get caught in it (as I found out).

I just bought this same coop! I was wondering what you have underneath your coop? Unfortunately, the ladies are confined there 2 days per week due to my work schedule then free range every other day. I’ve found I have to clean that area frequently as grass, of course, doesn’t last. I’m looking into getting a fully fenced run, but trying to figure out the logistics while working 24 hour shifts..

Will this set up be safe from bears?? I totally love what you did! :)

i watch alot of youtube ok and lady u have a gift u didnt bore me and drag it out with nonsence right to the point ...dam good video lots of good information

Rooster is ok. I have the 5 ft fencing like you do around the chicken area. On top of the chicken area I have a netting to dissuade the hawks from trying to enter from above. Evidently Rooster came flew out of his house this morning and busted a hole through the top of the netting and he ended up on the other side of the fence.

I was outside with the dog watching your video. Our Rooster woke up and ran up to our fence which is just like yours and some how the dog grabbed him and pulled him out of the chicken area! They had a round of it but I was able to get her to release. Not sure how injured Rooster is cause it’s too dark to see. I can’t tell how in the hell she got him out of that fence! I’ll have to see what I can find out when it gets light out. I’ll post here once I find out. I’m thinking maybe she pulled him under? Although we have safety fence at the bottom. Idk. Guess we’ll see what we can find out. I’ll have to put up 2nd round of fencing maybe an extra foot away from the pre-existing fence.

In the winter in areas that get snow, "we are in zone 6" how much ventilation is enough?

We have that same coop. Do you do anything to cover the hole over the ramp up in to the top of the coop for the night?

I asked about the high area in your yard, because in Fl some tanks must be in a mound. We have a large one in our front yard.

I love your coop. Where can I find it?

❤️

Enjoyed

I use an outdoor Blink X2 camera which works on wifi. I can see them at night and watch for eggs during the day.

Stalker! Lol! First one here!

Where can I find that hen house?

When are you doing your netting?

You forgot a predator like the ones that got mine 😢 hence why im here the predator that will bust through your coop n kill your babies aka big dogs that arent yours... So now im looking for a way to keep them from busting my coop again 😢😢 i lost 10 chickens in one night from the dog n now the chicken group im in on facebook is basically calling me a bad owner and saying i need to predator proof my coop it had the small squares like your coop but them dogs busted through it.. Any advise to repairing and keeping chickens safe??

go to chipdrop.com and get free wood chips dumped at your house, then put them in your chicken yard for the chickens to scrap shin and help compost and turn into dirt