05/29/2026
We all love our chicken nuggets 🐔🐥...especially predators (Hawks, raccoons, snakes, weasels, fox, coyotes, bobcats, and others) and even more so in the springtime when there are babies to feed. Free range chickens and unsecured coops are like ringing the dinner bell and ordering Chick-fil-A at the drive through.
We can co-exist with wildlife. Here are some reminders and tips to keep your chickies safe!
Secure the Coop:
• Use strong wire. Wildlife can and will chew through flimsy materials.
• Install wire or a metal apron around the bottom of the coop in an L-shape extending outward. You can also bury wire and cover it with dirt so chickens can still scratch naturally.
• Use motion-activated lights or water sprinklers. If you can invent sensors that bang cymbals or blast loud music, even better—but your neighbors may disagree at 1 a.m.
• Use secure locks, as raccoons are intelligent and capable of opening simple doors and latches.
• Include a sturdy roof.
• Install automated door timers to close the coop at dusk and open at dawn.
• Use deterrent scents such as Repel-All, cinnamon, cayenne, or citrus. These are natural options and safe for pets and children
The goal is to protect both the chickens and the wildlife. We should be smarter than the animals—killing is not the answer. It is also illegal to trap and relocate wildlife in many states - doing so increases the risk of spreading disease and orphaning babies.
Please consider coexistence over killing.
