All About Predator Proofing Your Backyard Chicken Coop and Run

[@addieanderson2043]

I did a hardware cloth barrier all around my coop. I had some concrete blocks and put them on top of the wire and planted flowers in the j blocks and pavers on areas I needed to stand to get in the coop. I had chickens in this coop for two years. I had a big predator load, raccoons, possums,farrow cats and even a bob cat. None we’re able to get into the coop. I do have security cameras so I am aware of all predators. I have just made a large run that is attached to the original run. I plan to run the wire around the 6 ft privacy fence I put bird netting over the top of the new run as I have had hawks try to get my girls. All your ideas are great. I had a old tent frame. I used this frame to hold the bird netting up and then attached to my 6 ft. Fence.

[@realsimplemama]

You did great! ✌🏼❤️🐓

[@Damselfly54315]

I have hardwire cloth for WHOLE yard and vents...including over the top of the yard

[@rebeccaplumlee9601]

The pavers look clean & decorated, nice place for pots. Sometimes ppl pour concrete that extend beyond the coop area like ur pavers. I like to do that & have lips to set coop on & put a layer of "earth", mixing sand, peat, (ground up) yard clippings includes straw & leaves! On skirt outside I plant things that grow shallow roots. Stuff chickens munch

[@tntshomesteadadventures]

Great video. We are new to raising chickens. Purchased the defender chicken coop from TSC. We have an 8 week old flock of 11, 10 hens and a cockerel. Your video was very informative and enjoyable. We installed a 2 foot predator apron around the run and coop, we are very concerned about protecting the flock. The challenge now is ground squirrels tunneling up in the run. I’m hoping the flock will keep them at bay.

[@teresapisanello5464]

You are amazing! Idk how you were able to get all that out and never lose your train of thought!! I found myself taking breaths when I thought you needed to come up for air lol 🤭 Seriously though, such good info! Thank you so much for this! I just subscribed and will continue binge watching all weekend 👍😊🐔🦚❤

[@realsimplemama]

Thanks so much! ✌🏻❤️🐓

[@ronibinshtock]

I’m also right outside SA.. getting my first chickens this week. Your advice is awesome! Thank you!

[@realsimplemama]

YAY how exciting!!! Let me know how it goes!

[@josephrosser4609]

Great video. Setting mine up on pavers like yours. Great idea. Do you recall the name of your coop and where you purchased it? Our neighbor is about to purchase 8 chicks and will need something bigger than what I have for my four. Thanks.

[@realsimplemama]

Hi! Thank you ✌🏻❤️🐓 this coop is the Omaha model from Rugged Ranch and I have videos about it here on my “Coop and Run” playlist if your neighbor is interested!

[@vickichristian2364]

Great information! Thank you for taking the time to do these videos ❤️

[@annamariaiannacito5291]

Thank you for all your sharing. I hope your new puppy has learned a lesson! Your girls are so lucky to have you!

[@realsimplemama]

Yes Penny is doing great! Thanks for asking! I’ll have a doggie training video up soon :)

[@SunshineCountryChickens]

I always have a smile on my face when Im watching your videos 🌺 🌸 🌼 🌻 🌞 thanks for being awesome

[@addieanderson2043]

I have another house for a single chicken 4x4 House with a 8 ft run. On the bottom I put hardware cloth on top of it I have a 3 inch layer of construction sand to protect her feet. No foot injury’s for the last 8 months that she has lived there. In addition I have solar motion lights. It looks like you have it all covered. Nice job.

[@rebeccaplumlee9601]

My only thing I did different, I ran a whether mini goats & a potbelly pig, and several types birds. Goats stomp snakes, pig ate them. Goats & pigs chased small predators. Day time stuff my goose girls ran off. I had over an acre for my critters (rabbit hutches around the coop). Loved my critters! I would sit & pet my kiddos

[@keelecampbell818]

In the process of setting up one of these coops. After putting pavers under coop, did you also use chicken wire on bottom sides of the coop under the pavers? Did you use tent anchors to hold it down?

[@realsimplemama]

Hi! No I chose not to do anything else besides the stones since they’re also in a protected run with bird netting. I do think I’ll do that wire “skirt” in my next house though (and I have done it in the past!). And in that case yea I’d use those tent hooks to hammer it down into the ground. ✌🏻❤️🐓

[@keelecampbell818]

@@realsimplemama Thank you

[@MissRenee_X]

Is your coop sitting on the pavers? Or are the pavers just around the coop? Ty

[@realsimplemama]

Hi! It sits on top so that the pavers “stick out” on the inside and outside. This way no one can dig underneath and get in! ✌🏻❤️🐓

[@addieanderson2043]

I have 5 chickens a run around their house. In addition I have a 6 ft. High privacy fence around the yard. I have security cameras. On those cameras I have saw in my yard a bob cat, raccoon, possums, hawks, and armadillo. All have breached the fence but have never got into my runs. I have hardware cloth. In addition I have a 2 ft border of hardware cloth attached to the bottom of the run. On top of that I have a concert block garden around the coop. Where I have to walk to collect eggs or enter the run I have paver blocks. In the garden I have planted tall plants to give the chickens shade as I live in Fl. Mine free range when I can sit with them for security.

[@jeffdinter600]

you could take your fencing for the rabbits, and run it vertically and then run some horizontally which would make those gaps smaller. This would also even reinforce the sturdiness that it already has.

[@briancaleb6503]

In the winter in areas that get snow, "we are in zone 6" how much ventilation is enough?

[@realsimplemama]

That’s up to you - I would err on the side of too much rather than not enough. Chickens are fine in snow, and at night heat rises in the coop to the roosts. They also puff up on their feet to keep them warm, and snuggle together to keep each other warm. I’d do more reading with locals but I don’t worry about chickens freezing to death in a coop. ✌🏼❤️🐓

[@myprtrump2207]

@@realsimplemama I’m trying to harden my chicks, they had a brooder standing heater( also can stand vertical in coup later) now I use ostrich feather dusters(5, lol) but they seemed cold so they have the red heat light clipped far enough to not overheat or melt plastic tub with hardware cloth covering the cut out section of lid. It’s getting cold in Gettysburg Pa area, how do I prepare them for this cold winter? I already love these 6 cuties

[@realsimplemama]

Hi! To be honest, in my opinion, you can’t harden chicks. They must be fully feathered in order to tolerate the cold or they can die. Their little chick fluff doesn’t insulate - the heat bulbs and the feather dusters are both popular ideas in the brooder! But I wouldn’t have then live outside until they’re true teenagers and have all of their feathers in. ✌🏼❤️🐓

[@dianeespinoza8647]

Hi Brian Caleb I was just reading about this, especially for cold areas you want plenty of ventilation. I read this 1 square foot of ventilation per 10 square feet of coop floor space. And I have also read this One rule of thumb is that you provide 1 square foot of permanent ventilation per chicken. You can do a search and do deeper research.

[@sharihenderson7621]

Great videos, just recently found you and am a new subscriber. From personal experience for arial predators I use Stromberg's Aviary Netting. Expensive but excellent quality, easy to work with (no tangling), heavy-duty, lasts for years. Doesn't get wild birds caught in it. I paid $120.00 for 1" mesh, 25' x 25'. They have 2" mesh 25' x 50' on sale for $45.00. Hawks are a major concern where I live and this netting has kept them from getting my chickens. I will not use the cheap nylon netting - frustrating to work with and wild birds can get caught in it (as I found out).

[@realsimplemama]

Hi! Welcome, and thanks for sharing your experience!

[@Cynd-CreativeOutletDesigns]

We have that same coop. Do you do anything to cover the hole over the ramp up in to the top of the coop for the night?

[@realsimplemama]

Nope! Doing that just means less light, less circulation, and I have to be up before dawn to let them down. 😄 I personally cannot think of anybody who closes the hands up in the night, as long as the rest of the coop and the run are secure from predators it is just more work for you and totally unnecessary. I hope that helps!

[@Cynd-CreativeOutletDesigns]

@@realsimplemama yes, thank you! We were coop training after putting them out there and closing it up for that. They've figured it out, but I was still nervous about it, so I've continued covering that hole after they go up for the night. We are almost finished with our attached run, so once that's all the way completed, I'll stop covering it. Thank you!

[@realsimplemama]

Got it! Sounds like a plan!

[@monicasp3454]

Will this set up be safe from bears?? I totally love what you did! :)

[@realsimplemama]

Hi! Lol I saw that recent video. I think if you have multiple layers of protection like an exterior fence, pavers or chicken wire buried under the coop, and predator proof latches (which this coop already has) a bear would either not show up or get frustrated and leave. Too much work to try and get in! 🐻🐻🐻

[@jdm440]

I love your coop. Where can I find it?

[@realsimplemama]

Aww thanks! I have some review videos here in my “Coop and Run” playlist. It is a few years old so I am not sure who is carrying it, but it is the Omaha model from the company called Rugged Ranch. We actually found it from an antique shop in the middle of nowhere.

[@jdm440]

@@realsimplemama thank you. I really enjoyed your video on predator proofing. I am new at this, in fact I haven't gotten my baby chicks yet. I need a good coop that will stand the weather. I know it will be awhile before the chicks are ready for the coop. I guess I'm getting g the coop before the chicks. Lol thanks again, was so pleased with your presentation I just had to subscribe.

[@realsimplemama]

Oh thank you! I love trying to help others and I’m glad it was useful! Let me know how it’s going, I can’t wait for you to get your chicks!

[@cayross5536]

I just bought this same coop! I was wondering what you have underneath your coop? Unfortunately, the ladies are confined there 2 days per week due to my work schedule then free range every other day. I’ve found I have to clean that area frequently as grass, of course, doesn’t last. I’m looking into getting a fully fenced run, but trying to figure out the logistics while working 24 hour shifts..

[@realsimplemama]

Hey! You’re amazing for all the work you do. I used the pavers to level it but then it’s just dirt. Nothing special!

[@cayross5536]

Thank you! Your tips have been fantastic! It’s really helped me get my set up working!

[@realsimplemama]

You’re so welcome! Come back whenever you have questions or email me, I love helping - [e-mail]

[@monicasp3454]

Where did you find the coop? Is it a good one & easy to clean? Thank you.

[@realsimplemama]

You can look on Facebook groups or at Tractor Supply or online elsewhere. I found it at an antique shop actually. I d done multiple review videos of it but yes we’re quite happy with it!

[@tnrhomestead6645]

i watch alot of youtube ok and lady u have a gift u didnt bore me and drag it out with nonsence right to the point ...dam good video lots of good information

[@realsimplemama]

Aww thanks! Happy to help and I’m still learning too. Glad you’re here! ✌🏼❤️🐓

[@addieanderson2043]

I asked about the high area in your yard, because in Fl some tanks must be in a mound. We have a large one in our front yard.

[@realsimplemama]

Oh ok we don’t really do tanks in the city here

[@mrsb5131]

You're so lucky to get away with the coop and set up you have. We had to build "Chicken Knox" and no longer free range. My girls have a coop that's 4x10 and then a run that's 8x10, both of which has 1/2" hardware cloth attached with screws and washers. Blessed to have a hubby that supports "our" hobby. 🤣

[@kennethhigdon1159]

I have the same coop. Only complaint is the poop tray. I have to replace the chinesium sheet metal tray after a year

[@margaretespinoza4492]

I m coming up on my 10 year anniversary of keeping chicken

[@ToshaRaeNailed]

Rooster is ok. I have the 5 ft fencing like you do around the chicken area. On top of the chicken area I have a netting to dissuade the hawks from trying to enter from above. Evidently Rooster came flew out of his house this morning and busted a hole through the top of the netting and he ended up on the other side of the fence.

[@realsimplemama]

Oh ok gotcha. So did he sneak out between fence and netting, or actually rip open the netting? I thought the nylon would hold up better than that! How’s he doing?

[@ToshaRaeNailed]

I was outside with the dog watching your video. Our Rooster woke up and ran up to our fence which is just like yours and some how the dog grabbed him and pulled him out of the chicken area! They had a round of it but I was able to get her to release. Not sure how injured Rooster is cause it’s too dark to see. I can’t tell how in the hell she got him out of that fence! I’ll have to see what I can find out when it gets light out. I’ll post here once I find out. I’m thinking maybe she pulled him under? Although we have safety fence at the bottom. Idk. Guess we’ll see what we can find out. I’ll have to put up 2nd round of fencing maybe an extra foot away from the pre-existing fence.

[@realsimplemama]

Oh my gosh! You poor thing! I was reliving my dog’s attack the other day and it was horrific. Please keep me posted.

[@evolutionj]

Where can I find that hen house?

[@realsimplemama]

Hi! I have reviews and more info on my Coop Build 2020 playlist but we found it at a flea market! You can order online from Rugged Ranch or Happy Henhouse I think. But I would definitely look locally first and see if you get lucky. ❤️🐓

[@carls.8408]

When are you doing your netting?

[@realsimplemama]

Soon hopefully. This month. Have to get the fence posts and reinforce that first.

[@nancymweasel6561]

I use an outdoor Blink X2 camera which works on wifi. I can see them at night and watch for eggs during the day.

[@realsimplemama]

Thanks for the recommendation! Does it use an app on your phone?

[@melindamedders6439]

You forgot a predator like the ones that got mine 😢 hence why im here the predator that will bust through your coop n kill your babies aka big dogs that arent yours... So now im looking for a way to keep them from busting my coop again 😢😢 i lost 10 chickens in one night from the dog n now the chicken group im in on facebook is basically calling me a bad owner and saying i need to predator proof my coop it had the small squares like your coop but them dogs busted through it.. Any advise to repairing and keeping chickens safe??

[@melindamedders6439]

It was pitbulls that did it

[@realsimplemama]

Oh no. I’m so so sorry. Let’s do this - email me and send me some coop photos and I’ll be happy to do what I can to advise you! But I’ll say having more than one fence, digging posts into the ground and using concrete, and making a skirt with chicken wire are all ideas that come to mind. ✌🏻❤️🐓 [e-mail]

[@realsimplemama]

I’ll also say that you should contact the owner and/or the city as the animal destroyed property and you should be compensated (which I know sounds terrible as these were lives lost but that’s how they will see it).

[@intexas218]

Stalker! Lol! First one here!

[@realsimplemama]

Hey hey! Hope you’re doing well!

[@vaughn-da-rosafarms]

Enjoyed

[@liliarocha6118]

❤️

[@jeffdinter600]

go to chipdrop.com and get free wood chips dumped at your house, then put them in your chicken yard for the chickens to scrap shin and help compost and turn into dirt