It feels like whenever we name a chicken and start getting attached, it’s a death sentence! Why do they always have to get the one chicken that I love?! It’s so frustrating going out to collect eggs and finding feathers or worse finding parts of your favorite chicken somewhere. The first couple of times this happened, we took it personally and waged a war on all things wild. It’s not personal. The hard truth is, it wasn’t the coyote’s fault for seeing an opportunity and taking it. Coyotes have their job and I have mine. This time they were better than I was. Over the last 13 years of raising chickens, we’ve learned the hard way, as soon as you let your guard down, you pay. You forget to lock the coop. You didn’t fix that hole in the fence. You re-used old material that wasn’t exactly what you needed but good enough. In this post I am going to share some of the information we learned (the hard way) so that hopefully you can avoid losing your favorite chicken or rooster. If you are new to chickens you might want to check out my book on chickens

The most dangerous kind of predator is the one that keeps coming back!

While there are many different types of predators out there, it’s a good idea to figure out which one your flock is most susceptible to. After 13 years of dealing with predators here on the farm, this is our list:

#1 The Coyote

Coyotes have been our biggest adversary! They are highly adaptable and can live in a variety of environments. It feels like more and more articles are coming out about encounters with coyotes. Just last month in January 2025 there was an article that came out of Tacoma WA about a Coyote that attacked a small boy and tried to drag him into the woods! Why is this? Well, sightings and attacks have been increasing in many areas due to several key reasons:

1. Habitat Loss & Urban Expansion

As cities and suburbs expand into natural habitats, coyotes are forced to adapt. They move into urban and suburban areas in search of food, shelter, and water.

2. Availability of Human Food Sources

Coyotes are opportunistic eaters, and they quickly learn to scavenge from trash cans, pet food, compost piles, and even bird feeders. The easier the food source, the more comfortable they become around humans.

3. Fewer Natural Predators

Historically, wolves and larger predators kept coyote populations in check. But with fewer natural predators, coyote numbers have grown significantly, leading to more sightings.

4. People Feeding Coyotes (Even Unintentionally!)

Some people deliberately feed coyotes, making them lose their natural fear of humans. Even indirect feeding—like leaving pet food outside—can attract them and encourage bold behavior.

5. Breeding Season & Territorial Behavior

Coyotes become more aggressive during breeding season (January to March) and when they are protecting their young (spring/summer). This can lead to an increase in reported encounters and attacks, especially on small pets.

6. Adaptability & Learning

Coyotes are smart. If they find easy food sources in urban areas, they teach their pups to rely on them. Over time, this leads to bolder and more frequent sightings as they become accustomed to humans. They are known as “wily” for a reason! 🐺

When protecting your flock from this predator, you will have to bring your A-Game. Like I said earlier, 1 small mistake and they make you pay. Here are some of my suggestions if you live in an area with a high likelihood of coyote attacks on your flock.

Here are five effective ways to keep them out:

1. Use Strong, Secure Fencing

✔ Install a 6-foot tall fence to prevent coyotes from jumping over.
✔ Bury the fence at least 12–18 inches deep or use an L-shaped apron to stop them from digging under.
✔ Use woven wire or 1/2-inch hardware cloth—coyotes can chew through chicken wire!

2. Lock Up Your Chickens at Night

✔ Always close and secure the coop doors before dusk.
✔ Use heavy-duty latches (like carabiners or padlocks) since coyotes can manipulate simple latches.

3. Install Motion-Activated Lights & Sounds

✔ Solar motion lights can startle and deter coyotes.
✔ Some people use motion-activated sprinklers or alarms that play predator sounds.

4. Get a Livestock Guardian Animal

✔ Dogs, donkeys, or even geese can help scare away coyotes.
✔ Great Pyrenees and Anatolian Shepherds are excellent guardian dogs for homesteads.

5. Keep the Area Clean & Eliminate Attractants

✔ Store chicken feed in metal bins with tight lids—coyotes will go after easy food sources.
✔ Pick up fallen fruit, compost scraps, and pet food to avoid attracting them.
✔ Keep brush and tall grass trimmed to remove hiding spots near the coop.

By combining these strategies, you’ll make it much harder for coyotes to get to your flock.

#2 The Bald Eagle

When people think of predators that target chickens, their minds often go to raccoons, foxes, or coyotes. But one of the most powerful and underestimated predators is the bald eagle. As majestic as they are, bald eagles are opportunistic hunters with incredible eyesight and razor-sharp talons, making chickens an easy target. I was having a party at my house for New years and we had 4 families here with kids and dogs running around. Joe heard some squawking behind the coop and there was an enormous bald eagle on top of one of our bresse chickens! Broad daylight with everyone around!

Bald eagles can spot a free-ranging flock from over a mile away and swoop down at speeds of up to 100 mph to snatch an unsuspecting hen. Once they have their prey, their strong talons make escape nearly impossible.

How to Protect Your Flock from Bald Eagles

1. Cover Your Chicken Run with Netting or Wire

• Use aviary netting or welded wire over your chicken run to prevent aerial attacks.
• Ensure it’s securely attached so an eagle can’t slip through gaps.

2. Provide Plenty of Covered Areas

• Plant trees or bushes where chickens can hide from overhead threats.
• Add roofs, tarps, or shade cloth to open areas in the run.

3. Use a Rooster or Livestock Guardian Animal

• Roosters will sound the alarm and try to defend their hens.
• Livestock guardian dogs or even geese can deter large birds of prey.

4. Limit Free-Ranging During Peak Hunting Hours

If you let your chickens free-range, supervise them or keep them in a covered area during these times.

Eagles hunt most actively in the morning and late afternoon.

5. Use Scare Tactics

• Install hawk kites, reflective tape, or scarecrows to discourage eagles.
• Move deterrents regularly so the eagles don’t get used to them.

Bald eagles are a protected species, so harming them is illegal. The best defense is prevention—by making your coop and run less appealing and more secure, you can keep your chickens safe while respecting these powerful birds.

#3 The Bobcat

Check out this video that was taken several years ago. We were losing chickens at a high rate and had no idea what we were up against. Joe stuck one of our Arlo cameras up in the coop and we caught this sneaky bobcat! We thought we had protected the coop from all sides. We had a metal cyclone fence, a plastic shed for roosting and we even put bird netting above for birds of prey. You can see why this predator is on our top 3 list!

Why Bobcats Are a Top Predator for Chickens

Bobcats are one of the most skilled and persistent predators when it comes to backyard chickens. As agile climbers and powerful jumpers, they can easily scale fences as you saw in the video. They can squeeze through small gaps and finesse their way around wires and gates. Their keen hunting instincts and stealth allow them to attack swiftly, often taking multiple birds in one night. Unlike some predators that are deterred by human activity, bobcats are highly adaptable and can strike even in suburban and semi-rural areas. Because they hunt at dawn, dusk, and nighttime, it’s crucial to have strong defenses in place to protect your flock. Quick fact, if you trap a Bobcat in King County, WDFW will not allow you to re-home a bobcat.

5 Ways to Predator-Proof Against Bobcats

1. Secure Your Coop and Run with Strong Fencing
   Use hardware cloth (½-inch mesh) instead of chicken wire or cyclone fencing, as bobcats can tear through weaker materials. Ensure all sides—including the top—are covered, as bobcats can climb or leap over standard fencing.
2. Use an Apron or Bury Fencing
   Bobcats are known to dig under fences. Bury hardware cloth at least 12 inches deep around the perimeter or install a predator apron (extending fencing outward 18–24 inches) to prevent digging.
3. Install Motion-Activated Lights and Alarms
   Bobcats prefer to hunt under cover of darkness. Motion-activated floodlights, alarms, or sprinklers can startle and deter them from getting too close to your coop.
4. Lock Up Chickens at Night
   Since bobcats are most active in the early morning and late evening, make sure your flock is securely locked inside a sturdy coop at dusk. Use heavy-duty latches to prevent them from prying doors open.
5. Use Guard Animals or Electric Fencing
   A well-trained livestock guardian dog (LGD) or even a protective rooster can help deter bobcats. Additionally, an electric fence around your run can provide an extra layer of defense by delivering a harmless but effective shock to any predator attempting to climb in.

By reinforcing your coop and run with these protective measures, you can greatly reduce the risk of bobcat attacks and keep your chickens safe.

Why is important to know what predators are in my area?

Simple, so you can understand how to protect against them and most importantly, you can KNOW WHERE TO FOCUS YOUR RESOURCES!

EXAMPLE 1: Let’s say you are trying to free range your birds using a chicken tractor and a hot wire net. During the day they are free-ranging outside, during the night they are inside the structure roosting. Therefore you are probably less likely to have an encounter from a bear or coyote but more likely that a bald eagle or hawk. Daytime flying predators. While nothing would slow down a hungry bear, it’s less likely that a bear will tear through hot wire and more likely that a hungry bird of prey will attack from above. Knowing this will help you plan out your defense strategy and save you time and money.

EXAMPLE 2: Now lets say that you have bought a coop online and plan on keeping it in 1 location. The coop is fully enclosed with a small run and a structure with a roof. Pretty solid setup. In this situation, you are more likely to have an attack from below. A rat can tunnel through a surprising amount of material in a short period of time. A weasel or mink can squeeze through very small holes. So in this scenario you will want to spend most of your time protecting the underside of your coop. Rubber mats or 1/2 inch hardware cloth.

Getting a coop

There are a TON of ready to put together coops available on Amazon or at your local farm and feed store. Once you figure out what situation suits your needs best, pick the one that works best for you. Some things to consider when you are buying a ready-made coop. If you’re thinking about buying a ready-made chicken coop from an online retailer or a farm and feed store, there are several important factors to consider. Many pre-built coops may look great in pictures, but they don’t always live up to expectations in terms of durability, space, and predator protection. Before making your purchase, here’s a checklist of key things to look for to ensure you’re getting a coop that will keep your chickens safe, comfortable, and happy.

Free Download!

Use this checklist to help you get started with chicks. Keep them warm and safe.

I made up this simple checklist for you to use during the first few weeks of care. Enjoy!

Free Download

1. Material Makeup

The type of materials used in a coop will determine how long it lasts and how well it protects your flock.

• Wood vs. Plastic vs. Metal – Wood is a traditional choice but requires maintenance to prevent rot. Plastic is easy to clean but may not be as durable. Metal is predator-proof but can get too hot in warm climates.
• Type of Wood – Solid wood (like cedar or fir) is far more durable than thin plywood or particleboard, which can deteriorate quickly.
• Hardware Quality – Many cheap coops use staples to hold wire mesh in place—predators can easily rip these out. Look for coops with screwed-on 1/2-inch hardware cloth instead of flimsy chicken wire.

2. Size & Capacity

Many pre-made coops overestimate how many chickens they can comfortably house. Make sure the dimensions work for your flock.

• Coop Size – Each chicken needs 3-4 square feet inside the coop and 8-10 square feet in the run.
• Roosting Space – Each bird requires 8-10 inches of roosting bar space for comfortable sleeping.
• Nesting Boxes – Ideally, provide one nesting box per 3-4 hens to prevent overcrowding.

3. Mobility & Accessibility

If you plan to move your coop around or want to make maintenance easier, consider these factors:

• Fixed vs. Mobile Coops – If you want to rotate grazing areas, look for a lightweight design with wheels (chicken tractor).
• Ease of Cleaning – Features like removable trays for droppings and large access doors will make daily care much easier.
• Ventilation – Good airflow is crucial to prevent moisture buildup and respiratory issues. Ensure the coop has vents or windows with predator-proof mesh.

4. Durability & Predator Protection

Even in suburban areas, predators like raccoons, foxes, and hawks can pose a serious threat to your flock.

• Sturdy Frame – Cheap coops often use thin wood that warps quickly or weak joints that can be pried open by predators.
• Strong Wire – 1/2-inch hardware cloth is essential; chicken wire is too flimsy and can be torn by raccoons or foxes.
• Secure Locks – Avoid simple slide latches that raccoons can open. Look for latches with carabiners or predator-proof locks.

5. Cost & Long-Term Value

While it may be tempting to go for the cheapest option, a poorly built coop will end up costing you more in repairs or replacements.

• Budget vs. Quality – Many low-cost coops start falling apart within a year. Investing in a higher-quality coop upfront will save money in the long run.
• Assembly Required? – Some coops arrive flat-packed and need full assembly. Check if tools and instructions are included.
• Reviews & Feedback – Always check customer reviews to see if others had issues with materials, missing parts, or misleading size descriptions.

Buying a pre-made chicken coop can be a convenient option, but it’s important to do your homework before making a purchase. Many store-bought coops are not as spacious or durable as advertised, so be prepared to reinforce weak spots or make modifications. If you’re handy, building your own coop may be a better investment, giving you full control over size, materials, and predator protection. But if you do decide to buy one, use this checklist to ensure you’re making the best choice for your flock’s long-term safety and comfort.

We DIY just about every project here on the farm. After all those years of losing chickens and spending money on temporary coops we finally decided to build our own. You can learn all about it in our next blog HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN COOP.

DIY Special

How to make your own Chicken Coop

Learn how to build your own Chicken Coop in our next blog post

If you’ve made it this far in the post, you are probably asking yourself do I even want to deal with all of this madness? My answer is a resounding yes! Piece by piece your coop and its security will come together.. Owning chickens is a rewarding experience that brings fresh eggs, natural pest control, and a deeper connection to where our food comes from. Raising chickens teaches responsibility, self-sufficiency, and provides a unique opportunity for the whole family to work together in caring for animals. Watching them roam the yard, collect eggs from the nesting boxes, and enjoy the fruits of your labor makes the effort worthwhile.

However, dealing with predators is an inevitable part of chicken keeping. From securing the coop to learning the habits of local wildlife, protecting your flock becomes a valuable lesson in problem-solving and resilience. While it can be challenging, overcoming these obstacles makes the experience even more fulfilling. In the end, the joys of raising chickens far outweigh the hardships, offering a hands-on, rewarding homestead experience for the entire family.

This post is dedicated to our favorite rooster of all time

RIP Mr. Butt Butt. 2017-2019