Lock chickens inside the coop from dusk to dawn

Close and latch the coop door every evening before dark and open it after full daylight each morning. The majority of chicken predator attacks — raccoons, foxes, coyotes, opossums, owls, and weasels — happen at night. A securely closed coop is the single most important predator defense.

Why It Works

Most chicken predators are nocturnal or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk). Chickens instinctively return to the coop at dusk and are nearly blind in the dark, making them completely defenseless. A closed, latched coop removes the opportunity for nighttime attacks entirely.

Tips

• Install an automatic coop door with a light sensor or timer if your schedule is unpredictable — models from ChickenGuard and Omlet range from $100 to $200
• Set timers conservatively: close 30 minutes after sunset, open 30 minutes after sunrise
• Check that all birds are inside before closing — stragglers roosting outside are easy prey
• Automatic doors still need predator-proof latches; some raccoons learn to pry lightweight doors open