Protect Your Chickens: Build A Raccoon-Proof Coop

Raccoons are a common threat to chickens, and building a raccoon-proof chicken coop is essential to keeping your chickens safe. Raccoons are intelligent, persistent, and opportunistic, and they can remember how to open latches for several years. They are also excellent climbers and diggers, able to squeeze through tight spaces and use their front paws to reach or tear at prey. This guide will explore the various methods and materials you can use to build a small raccoon-proof chicken coop, ensuring the safety of your feathered friends.

Use plywood or shelving board to reinforce the floor

To reinforce the floor of a small raccoon-proof chicken coop, you can use plywood or shelving board. First, measure the dimensions of the frame of your chicken coop. Cut the plywood or shelving board to size—it should be 3/4" thick. You can do this yourself or go to a hardware store like Lowes or Home Depot and they will cut it for a fee.

Once you have your plywood or shelving board cut to size, you can install it as a second floor over the existing floorboards. This will provide extra protection against raccoons trying to dig or chew through the floor. Use wood glue to attach the plywood or shelving board to the existing floor, and for extra reinforcement, use screws every 8 to 12 inches. Make sure the screws are hidden, and use solid wood screws, not MDF or particle board screws.

If you want to further reinforce the floor, you can consider adding vertical reinforcements. Measure the space between the floor and the first shelf, and cut a piece of wood to support the shelf. You can use nails or screws to attach the vertical reinforcements, and you can also use wood glue for extra strength.

By using plywood or shelving board to reinforce the floor of your chicken coop, you can help protect your chickens from raccoons and other predators.

Cover windows and vents with hardware cloth

When building a raccoon-proof chicken coop, it is important to cover any windows and vents with hardware cloth. Raccoons are clever and strong, and they can climb and break into many things. Chicken wire will not suffice as they can chew through it or tear it off.

Hardware cloth is a fairly rigid mesh with heavy-gauge wire that is not easily damaged by animals. It will keep pests out while maintaining airflow through the vents. When purchasing hardware cloth, look for mesh with 1/8-inch, 1/4-inch, or 1/2-inch openings. The smaller the openings, the better protection you will have against rodents and other pests.

To install the hardware cloth, first measure the windows and vents to determine how much material you will need. Cut the hardware cloth mesh to size, being careful to cut closely along the side of a wire to prevent sharp edges. Wear gloves to protect your hands from the sharp metal. Place the cut piece of mesh over the window or vent, securing it tightly to prevent raccoons from pulling it off. Use roofing nails to secure the mesh, driving a nail every 2 to 3 inches along the mesh and ensuring it lies flat against the surface.

By taking these steps to cover windows and vents with hardware cloth, you can help ensure that your chicken coop is protected from raccoons and other pests.

Secure locks with padlocks or carabiners

Raccoons are intelligent and persistent predators, and a chicken coop needs to be well-secured to keep them out. While latches and locks won't always stop a hungry raccoon, they can be an effective deterrent when used correctly.

One option is to use a sliding bolt latch, which can be secured with a padlock. These locks are simple yet effective, providing excellent security when combined with a heavy-duty sliding bolt latch. Position the latch high on the door, out of reach of ground-based predators, and ensure it is comfortable for you to operate but inaccessible to most animals.

Another option is to use carabiners, which are tough and confusing for animal paws. Choose sturdy, locking carabiners rated for at least 200 pounds. You can attach a short chain or cable to the coop door and frame, using the carabiner to connect the chain ends when the door is closed. For added security, use a multi-step carabiner, such as a twist-lock design. Carabiners are versatile and can be easily added or removed, making them a convenient choice.

For the ultimate security, consider locks specifically designed to thwart animal intruders. These locks often feature weather-resistant materials, complex opening mechanisms that require opposable thumbs, smooth surfaces that are difficult for animals to grip, and keyless options like combination locks. While these locks may be more expensive, they offer long-lasting protection for your coop.

Remember, the key to effective security is consistency. Always lock the bolt and secure the padlock or carabiner every time you close the coop. Additionally, consider covering any windows and vents with hardware cloth to make it more difficult for raccoons to access your coop. By combining different security measures, you can create a safe haven for your chickens.

Bury wire fencing a foot deep around the coop

Burying wire fencing a foot deep around your chicken coop is an effective way to prevent pests from digging their way in. Firstly, bend the bottom foot of the wire fencing towards the outside of the pen at a 90-degree angle. Next, dig a trench that is a foot deep and wide enough to accommodate the foot of horizontal wire. Lay the wire at the bottom of the trench and throw small rocks, concrete fill, or similar materials on top of the wire. Finally, backfill the trench. This method will ensure that pests cannot dig under the fence and pull the fence to go underneath it.

It is important to note that the type of wire used matters. Chicken wire is not strong enough to keep pests out as it can be easily ripped through. Instead, use hardware cloth or welded wire. For welded wire, a gauge of at least 17, and preferably 14, is recommended.

Some people suggest that instead of digging straight down, it is more effective to dig horizontally to stop predators from digging under the fence. One person skirted hardware cloth out, making an apron about 2.5 feet out from the bottom edge of the coop, and this method has held up well against attempted digging. Another suggestion is to attach the wire firmly to the bottom of the coop and run it out horizontally for 18 inches before burying it just under the sod.

Avoid leaving food or eggs out overnight

While it is possible to leave chicken eggs in the coop for up to four to five weeks without them spoiling, it is not advisable to leave them out overnight. This is because eggs are susceptible to contamination from salmonella bacteria, and the fluctuating temperatures between daytime and nighttime will cause the egg to age faster and deteriorate in quality. Condensation forming on the outside of an egg will also destroy the protective coating that prevents bacteria from entering the egg.

Leaving eggs out overnight also increases the risk of your chickens eating their own eggs. This is a habit you want to prevent, as it can be challenging to stop once they have a taste for it. The longer you leave eggs out, the more likely they are to be accidentally broken, and the smell of broken eggs will attract predators such as raccoons and rats. Rats, birds, squirrels, snakes, crows, skunks, possums, and even pets like dogs are all potential thieves of your eggs.

To ensure optimum freshness and reduce waste, it is recommended to collect eggs at least once a day, and if possible, twice. Egg-laying times differ from hen to hen, but most will lay by the late morning or mid-morning, so it is best to do the first collection around this time. If you are doing a second collection, check for any fresher eggs later in the evening.

It is also important to avoid direct sunlight on your eggs, as this will make them spoil faster. If the temperature gets too hot, your eggs may even start to incubate if they have been fertilized.

Frequently asked questions