How to protect chickens from predators?

Hardware cloth is the single most effective barrier against predators. A buried apron extending outward from the base stops digging animals without requiring a deep trench.

The simplest and most overlooked predator defense costs nothing: lock the coop door every night at dusk, without exception. Most backyard flock losses happen because the door was left open "just this once."

Electronic deterrents use light, sound, or water to startle predators away. They work best as part of a layered defense alongside physical barriers.

Livestock guardian animals deter predators through presence, noise, and aggression. Different species work best in different settings.

An automatic door opens at dawn and closes at dusk, ensuring hens are locked inside every night without you needing to remember. Solar-powered models work off-grid with no wiring.