Chicken Predators - The Safety Of Your Brood Of Hens - By: ArticleSubmit Auto

The raising of chickens has become more and more popular. There are some enormous benefits. One of the main reasons is that you can save a lot of money. You can use the eggs they produce, and use the meat from one chicken for several meals. You will also know that the chickens have been treated in a humane way and also know what they have be fed on. There's even an environmental benefit due to fewer chickens being trucked to processing plants and grocery stores. You do, however, need to keep your flock safe from chicken predators.

When building your chickens' habitat, you need to keep in mind ways to protect them. You need to be aware of what types of predators have the potential to harm your chickens. Unfortunately, natural enemies are plentiful. Potential predators include, Raccoons, Hawks, Foxes, Coyotes and domestic pets to name a few.

Consider what types of predators are common within your area before choosing the type of house you will need for your chickens. If you live in the country you might need to be aware of coyotes, whereas if you live in a built up area you might be more inclined to come across a raccoon. Almost all areas are prone to owls and hawks, so protection should be addressed sufficiently. Bears are not usually a problem for chickens themselves, but they have been known to invade coops because they love the chicken's food. If bears are in the area you reside, you should think about taking precautions.

Deciding how your chicken enclosure should be build will depend on understanding how a predator is going to get to your chickens. Some animals will dig under fencing to get to their prey, such as dogs and coyotes. Features should be applied to prevent these animals from digging themselves in.

Foxes are a very dangerous predator to any chicken habitat. These predators will rarely leave any birds alive if they gain access. Those that they do not steal they kill and leave behind. Foxes are clever and can climb over an enclosure as well as dig themselves in. They will take advantage of any weaknesses in a chicken coops structure. They're sneaky, and amazingly patient. They will stake out a coop for days or even weeks until they have found an easy way in.

Raccoons are skilled coop invaders as well. With their opposable thumbs they're pretty talented burglars. They can manipulate gates and simple locks and simply let themselves in. If fences are not to high they are also fairly good at climbing. Chicken feed is an attraction also for these animals, so the placing of the feeders needs to be taken into account when planning your build.

Another consideration is predatory birds, like hawks and owls. There are few areas where birds would not be a concern since they live almost everywhere. These birds need to be kept away, as they may spread illness through your flock, even if they do not harm them. Make sure that the plans you choose to construct your coop addresses the issue of wild birds.

Keeping chickens can be a satisfying and rewarding experience. It's great for children to participate in and can save you money in the long run. Just try and consider what predators are going to be a danger to your flock when choosing your chicken coop plans. With some well thought-out plans and sturdy construction, your coop will keep your investment safe and productive.

About the Author

For more information about the potential chicken predators that any chicken owner should be aware of, please feel free to visit my website at Plans For Chicken Coop. For a short period I am also giving away a FREE set of chicken coop plans to all my visitors.

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