know how to protect chicken from predator is important if you want to keep a productive flock . On the listing of predators are oftenrodents , lurch andsnakes , but they are seldom a peril to grownup chickens .
Do Snakes Kill Chickens?
If serpent are give up access to achicken cage , they will happily dine on young boo and eggs , but they pose little scourge to full-grown birds . While it ’s potential for some large , exotic snakes to kill and ingest whole adult chickens , it would be rather rarefied . In fact , it ’s more probable that an grownup biddy will make a repast out of a snake than the other way around .
Signs of Snakes in the Chicken Coop
Unless you ’re able to becharm a glance of snakes entering the coop , there will be only a few mysterious sign of their mien :
How to Keep Snakes Out of the Chicken Coop
Snake prefer to feast on gnawer , such as shiner and rats , and will take up abidance where and when there are rich food sources . That have in mind if you have a nonmigratory serpent , you likely have a rodent job as well .
have it away how to protect chicken from predators means follow all the precautions for securing the coop . Like rodents , snakes can agree through very small openings in the coop . extinguish the nutrient author and the ophidian will move on .
Do Opossums Kill Chickens?
Several other common critter may pose a threat to your flock , though many of these scavengers are more of an proceeds for keeper with young birds or lots of egg .
Opossums are rather rough-cut and live in well-nigh every corner of the country , in some metropolis and most rural areas . opossum choose to scavenge for nutrient rather than hunting for it . If she ascertain a room into a chicken chicken coop , she ’ll go for testis first , eat them on the spot . youthful chicks make promiscuous pickings as well , and if in the mood to William Holman Hunt , an phalanger will target grown chickens as well .
Mice in the Chicken Coop – Friend or Foe?
Know that mice and rats are more of a nuisance when you ’re wondering how to protect chickens from predatory animal than a true threat to adult chickens . While they are surely open of killing child chicks , only a very large , very athirst and very motivated rodent will attempt to shoot down an grownup Gallus gallus . Rats and shiner tend to view the coop as a warm , teetotal shelter in which to make a nest , particularly if there is chicken feed to feast on nearby .
Do Skunks Kill Chickens?
Unlike the mammal in the weasel family , skunks seldom Leigh Hunt arise birds . They tend to go for unseasoned skirt or eggs almost entirely . The wood pussy ’s spirit is much stronger than that of themustelidmammals , so if you are aware of its olfactory modality , you may be fairly certain it has paid your heap a visit .
How to Protect Chickens from Predators
Chickenpredators come in all shapes , sizes and metal money . They fly , crawl , walk , stalk and slither .
Some gain access to your birds by climbing wall , others by drop off through fences , some by dig under inclosure perimeters and a few by only charge in the lightness of day . Some are big . Some are modest . Some are so crafty they can pass undetected until they strike .
chicken are rarely safe , and they sleep with it . By nature , poulet run to be offish , skittish , flighty and a tad bit paranoid . Chicken fancier often see their behaviour quirky and lovely , but what we see as “ just being uncanny ” is really a well - perfect defense chemical mechanism . It ’s no wonder crybaby are incessantly on the qui vive . Nearly every predatory creature , domesticated or ferine , feel them to be well-heeled , tasty fair game . On top of that , chickens have very few lifelike defenses . They have wretched eyesight in low light and no dentition or strength with which to defend themselves . Between the natural conflict - or - trajectory response , escape is the only viable option — and they ca n’t even do that very well .
So , as their steward , it ’s your obligation to use your wits , puppet and imagination to ensure the mint ’s rubber . Here ’s how …
The first defense , ofcourse , is by build up and maintaining a secure henhouse . Lock up behind your fowl each eventide , making sure they ’re good at the most vulnerable sentence of day .
This is the best way to stay one step ahead of the marauders and to really keep your birds good . What are your local predatory animal ’ strengths ? How do they gain access to chickens ? How would they maim or pop , and what fourth dimension of daylight do they lean to strike ? These are all important questions any chicken keeper must enquire about the predators that hunt nearby .
Chickens are so easy to wish for and have so few needs compared to other pets and livestock that it ’s sometimes easy to leave that they are one of the most vulnerable . It ’s easy to become self-satisfied in the day-to-day routine and lease your guard down , even just once . That one slip - up — the one , tiny gap in fencing or the one meter you forget to lock them up at night — could be a predatory animal ’s manner in and spell cataclysm for your slew .
It ’s critically important to take the necessary precautions and establish a skillful defense from the get - go . Do n’t hold back until a predatory animal has already visited your flock .
What To Do If a Predator Attacks
If and when an plan of attack happens , be prepared to get into your investigator ’s cap . Unless you charm the marauder in the human action , you ’ll be relying on clues at the law-breaking setting to determine which mintage made the attack . It can be surprisingly heavy to figure out who was responsible .
What do you see as you scan the chicken coop and political campaign ’s perimeter ? Are there gap or torn holes in the fencing ? preindication of delve ? A windowpane or threshold left ajar or pry undefendable ?
Check for obvious beast tracks around the enclosure . If you have dirty or snowy condition , you may get golden and find some .
How many razz were kill ? What time of 24-hour interval did the attack occur ? Were any razz eaten ? If so , which eubstance division ? Are there any missing birds ? If there are surviving bird , what is the nature of their wounds ?
How to Protect Chickens from Predators – Key Takeaways
Chickens are prosperous prey for so many marauder that it ’s hard to keep path . From feral cats to foxes , hawks and snakes , each predatory animal has its own distinctive modus operandi that dish out as a career card , providing clues to what you and your chicken are dealing with . So use prophylactic metre , where possible , and keep a dependable and secure coop .
