How to: Predator Proof your Chicken Coop

The best defense is a good offense - when you are building your coop put wire under the ground beneath the coop to stop predators from digging in from below. Rats and many other animals will do it - they are sneaky.

Dig about three to six inches of dirt beneath where you are planning to build and put small mesh chicken wire on the ground.  Connect this wire to the foundation or sides of the coop, then cover with dirt and built the coop up from there.

When I was a kid I raised ducks and one of the saddest days was when I went out to see how Tina was doing on her nest and a raccoon had actually pulled her through the coop wire and eaten her. I cried for days. That was when we got really fine mesh wire for the coop sides rather than regular chicken wire. I suggest you do the same to avoid any sad sad days…

A metal roof is also a good idea to keep predators out, make sure its secure. Its much harder for animals to chew through metal! I also put food and straw in metal bins to keep predators from smelling any potential food.

Building the Coop

Urban Oasis Coop

I informed my husband one day that I wanted to have backyard chickens, and he promptly went to Home Depot to purchase supplies. With plans present only in his dynamic mind, he set to work constructing my lovely chicken house.  Everyone in the family helped, my son Nick and daughter Allie stretching wire and nailing the boards.  I painted it red with white trim upon completion and we added a corrugated metal roof.


The coop was built with wire under the flooring - you don't want rodents or raccoons to get in and eat the flock!  This is non negotiable - they WILL find a way in!  Use chicken wire around the edges, make sure you have a roost for them to sleep on - a spool or 2x2 is fine, and a nesting box or two for those lovely eggs.


I find metal feed and waterers to be best, and I love the retro look, but beware if you use vinegar in your water - metal will rust.  If you plan to use vinegar, get a plastic waterer.  Apple cider vinegar is great for the chicken's digestive tract, just a tablespoon per gallon is the perfect amount.

If you don't have a handy dandy builder wiz husband, a few of my favorite places to find super cute pre-constructed coops are William-Sonoma and Wayfair.

Got a question about coop construction?  Post it here!

- Rita

Welcome to my Yard

Pepper hanging out in the Oasis

Its a postage stamp size, but in an urban environment it allows the chickens enough room to roam and vegetation to enjoy...an urban oasis!  Apples fall on the lawn for them to peck, blueberry bushes provide hours of entertainment as they hop straight up in the air to pluck them, bugs and dragonflies circle the flowers and the grass is organic and delicious. 

The Coop du Jour

I thought the yard was missing some life, so chickens were just the ticket!  I would have hours of fun watching them run around, clean up all my bugs and lay me beautiful eggs every morning.  This is all true but like anything in life there is the dark side.  There is poop to scoop, diseases to deal with and molting happens!  Still its worth the bit of work it takes and I enjoy the challenge...I am the Urban Chicken Whisperer after all...

- Rita