Secure Coop Construction

Build a predator-proof coop using solid wood or metal walls, a secure roof, and 1/2-inch hardware cloth over every opening. Avoid standard chicken wire, which raccoons can tear apart or reach through. Fasten hardware cloth with screws and washers rather than staples alone, and install raccoon-proof latches such as carabiners or two-step slide bolts on every door.

Why It Works

Most turkey losses happen inside inadequately built coops. Raccoons, weasels, and mink exploit gaps as small as 1 inch. Hardware cloth with 1/2-inch openings blocks even small predators, and solid walls eliminate the weak points that predators probe at night. A well-built coop is the single most effective layer of predator defense.

Tips

• Inspect the coop monthly for rot, loose fasteners, or new gaps around doors and vents
• Use 1/4-inch hardware cloth if weasels or snakes are a concern in your area
• Reinforce the coop floor with wire mesh or a concrete pad to prevent digging predators from tunneling in