Predator protection
Most losses happen at night. Use half inch hardware cloth on every opening and a latch a raccoon cannot open. Shut the door at dusk or let an automatic door do it.
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Hardware cloth
- Best for covering vents and windowsLandGuard half inch hardware cloth
A 19 gauge galvanized welded mesh.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for wrapping a whole runLANJIA half inch hardware cloth 36 by 100
A long 100 foot roll of 19 gauge mesh.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for a medium jobTrenk half inch hardware cloth 36 by 50
A 50 foot roll of galvanized mesh.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for an apron around the runVEVOR half inch hardware cloth 36 by 100
A 100 foot roll you can lay flat or bury against diggers.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for smaller coopsGoldPeak half inch hardware cloth 36 by 50
A 50 foot roll galvanized after welding.
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Automatic coop doors
- Best for a complete self locking setupChickenGuard opener with door kit
The same opener sold with a self locking pop door.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for a compact all in one doorRUN CHICKEN T50 door
A small automatic door that runs on batteries.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for a coop with no powerNyPots solar coop door
A solar door with a timer and a light sensor.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for an aluminum door with an anti pinch stopJVR automatic coop door
A programmable timer door made of aluminum.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for no batteries to swapFarmLite automatic door opener
A door opener with a timer and a light sensor.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for big breeds and turkeysINNOLAND large automatic door
A larger door with a gear drive.
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Latches
- Best for doors a raccoon tries to openJQK spring loaded latch 2 pack
A spring loaded stainless bolt that does not slide open on its own.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for small coop doorsINBOF barrel bolt 2 pack
Stainless slide bolts that work best with a clip through the hole.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for run gatesHillmaster slide bolt gate latch
A heavy bolt with a padlock hole for a gate.
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Electric netting and chargers
- Best for free ranging inside a safe zonePremier 1 PoultryNet 164 feet
Electric poultry netting with step in posts.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for a smaller paddockPremier 1 PoultryNet Plus 100 feet
A shorter roll with double spike posts.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for netting far from an outletParmak solar fence charger
A solar charger from a long running farm brand.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for one roll of nettingGallagher S6 solar charger
A small solar charger sized for garden and poultry fences.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for netting near the houseZareba 10 mile plug in charger
A plug in low impedance charger.
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Lights and cameras
- Best for a cheap night deterrentASPECTEK Predator Eye 2 pack
Solar red flashing lights to mount at eye level of a fox.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for random light patternsFoxlights night guard
A battery light that flashes in a random pattern so predators get used to it slower.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for covering every side of a runSolar predator lights 4 pack
Four solar flashing lights in one pack.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for seeing what visits at nightMoultrie Edge 2 cellular camera 2 pack
Cellular trail cameras that send photos to your phone.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for a low cost cameraCEYOMUR trail camera
A memory card camera with night vision.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for phone alerts without WiFiSPYPOINT Flex M cellular camera
A cellular camera with a free photo plan.
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Guides that cover this gear
Automatic Chicken Coop Doors: What to Check Before You BuyHow to pick an automatic coop door that actually keeps hens safe. Covers light sensors and timers, power, door size, locking and cold weather.
Photo: âOur Chicken Coopâ by furtwangl, CC BY 2.0
Best Chicken Coop Camera: Wireless, Solar and No Wifi OptionsHow to pick a coop camera that works where your hens live. Solar wifi cams, cellular trail cams and simple SD card cameras for spotting night predators.
Photo: âFirst night in the new coopâ by normanack, CC BY 2.0
Best Chicken Coop for 6 Hens With a Run (Buying Guide)How much coop and run space six hens really need, what to check on a prefab kit, and five coop styles that suit a small backyard flock.
Photo: âSeattle Chicken Coop and 2 Hensâ by furtwangl from West Seattle, CC BY 2.0
How to Keep Rats and Mice Out of a Chicken CoopRats and mice come for the chicken feed and stay for the shelter. Here is how to seal gaps, lock away feed and shut them out at night.
Photo: âOur Chicken Coopâ by furtwangl, CC BY 2.0
Best Chicken Coop Kits for Beginners (Buying Guide)The coop kits worth your money for a first flock. How to check the real hen count, which kits suit 3 hens or 8, and the two cheap upgrades every kit needs.
Photo: Josh Larios, CC BY-SA 2.0
Build or Buy a Chicken Coop? An Honest Look at BothShould you build your own chicken coop or buy a kit? Here is what each one costs in time and money. We also cover who each one suits.
Photo: furtwangl, CC BY 2.0