How to fox proof your chicken coop

Introduction

Table of Contents

If you’re a chicken coop owner, then you know how important it is to keep your flock safe from predators. Foxes are one of the most common predators of chickens, so it’s not uncommon for people who raise backyard chickens to invest in some sort of fox proof fence or other means of keeping them out of the yard. The downside to this tactic is that if your neighbors don’t do the same thing with their own animals, then eventually those foxes will find themselves in your yard as well! So how do you keep those pesky critters away? Let me show you how:

Buy a proper chicken coop or build a secure one.

Buy a proper chicken coop or build a secure one. If you’re not sure where to start, there are lots of plans online that can help you build your own secure cage.
Make sure it is raised off the ground and has a secure door. Predators tend to like digging under fences and walls, so make sure this method isn’t an option for them!
Make sure the flooring is made out of strong material like wood or concrete (not plastic).

Buy an ‘anti-fox’ chicken house or build one with fox proof materials.

If you want your chicken coop to be fox proof, then it’s best to buy a chicken coop that has been tested and certified by an organization like the National Chicken Council or The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. These organizations have come up with guidelines for building chicken houses that are fox-proof.

Avoid using wood as the main material in your chicken house. Wood is easy for foxes to dig out of the ground, which makes them vulnerable as they try to escape from your yard/garden area into their natural habitats outside of town where they live during winter months (this could also mean entering your home if possible).
Choose materials such as concrete or cinder block instead of wood because these materials can withstand heavy snow loads without cracking when dropped on top of them! This will keep predators out while still providing warmth during cold weather months without costing too much money either; however there might still be some maintenance required after installing these types since water tends not flow through them very well sopping up liquids around doors etcetera.

Consider a chain link fence and other strong materials to keep predators out.

A chain link fence is a good option to keep foxes out of chicken coup effectively.. Foxes can jump up to 6 feet high and can dig under chicken wire, so you need to bury them deep. You should also consider putting the fence at least 6 inches underground, which will dissuade other predators from digging under it as well

Learn what foxes eat, and try not to leave any food outside.

If you want to keep foxes away from your chickens, there’s no better way than by learning what they like to eat. Foxes are omnivores and will eat anything they can get their teeth on—including fruit, vegetables and garbage.

If you live in an area with lots of foxes (like cities), it’s best not to leave food outside for them because it’ll attract other wildlife as well. Instead, if you do want to attract foxes but don’t want them around all the time (or at least prevent them from getting into your coop), try keeping a few birds inside overnight so that when morning comes around again there will be enough fresh meat available for them!

Be aware of how your garbage is stored – foxes are attracted to scent and trash.

Be aware of how your garbage is stored. Foxes are attracted to scent and trash, so be sure that you have a secure method for storing your garbage cans. The best way to do this is with a lockable lid on each one, or even better yet – place them inside an enclosure like a shed or garage. If you don’t have either of those options available, try using heavy duty plastic bags instead of traditional ones (they’re more difficult for foxes to get into). And remember: if there’s anything that smells like chicken feed in there (chicken feed does), it’ll only take one time for them to figure out how tasty it is!

Chicken wire is not going to cut it as a fox deterrent – you need hardware cloth.

Chickens are great, but they’re also big and noisy birds that can be loud. If you want to keep your chicken coop safe from foxes, or other predators like raccoons and coyotes, then the best way is by installing hardware cloth around its perimeter. This will make it nearly impossible for those animals to get into the yard or building because there’s no way for them to squeeze through gaps in chicken wire (unless they bite through). Plus, since most hardware cloths come with plenty of holes already punched through them so that rodents don’t get trapped inside when building their nests inside walls/roofs etc..

Protect your chickens from above as well as from the ground, if possible.

Foxes can climb, so you’ll want to keep your coop in a place where they won’t be able to get to it easily. An electric fence can help keep foxes away.

Foxes can climb, so be aware that they can get into the chicken coop from above, too.

If you have a chicken coop, then you know that foxes can climb. This is because they are good climbers—and if your chickens are in danger of being eaten by a fox (or being chased by one), then it’s important to protect them from both above and below.

To prevent your chicken coop from being climbed by foxes, use these tips:

Secure the roof with hardware cloth or similar material. This will discourage any climbing attempts from the roof itself; however, if there are gaps between each board where any burrowing animals could get through, consider adding wire mesh over those areas as well.
Secure all entrances using heavy duty locks; this includes both doors leading into the shed or run as well as any windows that offer access points into either structure

Add additional lights around the perimeter of the chicken coop for added protection – foxes hate bright light and will avoid getting into the coop when there are lights around.

Add additional lights around the perimeter of your chicken coop for added protection – foxes hate bright light and will avoid getting into the coop when there are lights around.
Install an electric fence to keep them out of your hen house, or use a different type of fencing that is designed to repel animals like foxes.
Keep chickens in an enclosed pen during daylight hours when you’re not home, so they cannot see any potential predators coming at night.

If you have an electric fence, make sure it’s maintained properly so that it remains effective.

If you have an electric fence, make sure it’s maintained properly so that it remains effective. Electric fences can be damaged or broken by people or animals; so, if your chicken coop is near an electric fence and there is any question as to whether or not the fence is up to code, speak with a licensed electrician before proceeding.

The best way to fox-proof any chicken coop is by using good judgment when choosing where and how much space will overlap other structures (such as buildings) within your yard—you don’t want anything flapping around out there like a loose banner! Also keep in mind that sometimes even though something looks secure on the outside…it doesn’t mean anything when viewed from above! So if possible try not only looking down into holes but also checking underneath them too (yes really!).

It’s worth investing in ways to keep your flock safe from predators like foxes – because predator attacks can be devastating for your flock and for your wallet.

It’s worth investing in ways to keep your flock safe from predators like foxes – because predator attacks can be devastating for your flock and for their health.

The cost of predator attacks can be more than just the cost of replacing the chickens. They can also be emotionally devastating as well. If a fox gets into the coop and kills all of your chickens, it’s not just a financial loss; it’s also an emotional loss that leaves you feeling helpless and angry at yourself for not being able to protect them from any harm.

Conclusion

Foxes can be a real nuisance to keep out of your chicken coop, but there are some things you can do to make sure that happens. If you’re planning on keeping chickens, now is the time to start thinking about ways to protect them from predators like foxes!