Establish a nightly lock-up routine

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."

The Routine

1. Count heads at dusk: Chickens instinctively return to roost as light fades. Do a headcount every evening.
2. Close and latch the door: Use a two-step latch (raccoons can open simple hook-and-eye latches). Carabiners, barrel bolts, or spring-loaded latches work well.
3. Check the perimeter: Walk the run once looking for dig marks, loose hardware cloth, or holes. Fix immediately.
4. Collect eggs daily: Eggs left in nest boxes attract rats, snakes, and opossums.

Why It Works

A locked solid-wall coop is nearly impenetrable. The vast majority of predator kills occur in open runs or through unlocked doors between dusk and dawn.

Tips

• Set a phone alarm for 15 minutes before sunset as a reminder
• If your schedule is unpredictable, invest in an automatic door (see the automatic coop door solution)
• Never leave feed accessible overnight — it draws raccoons, rats, and opossums to the coop area