Homestead How-To Overlooked Backyard Menaces

By Christy Caplan

A single raccoon can dismantle a coop’ s defenses in minutes, and a silent owl can strike from above without warning. Protecting your chickens requires looking beyond the usual suspects and securing your setup against these cunning, often-overlooked predators.

There are simple yet effective strategies to protect your flock from hidden threats such as raccoons, possums and owls.

Understanding Hidden Predators

The first step in adequate protection is knowing your enemy. Different predators have distinct behaviors and attack methods. By understanding how they hunt, you can build a defense that works.

As Dr. Sabrina Kong, DVM, explains, " Many backyard chicken owners focus on the obvious daytime threats, but the most persistent dangers are often the clever nocturnal ones. A raccoon can manipulate simple latches, and an owl can silently swoop down from above. Your first line of defense is a fortress-like coop. Use ½ inch hardware cloth instead of chicken wire, which raccoons can tear through, and install raccoon-proof locks( such as a sturdy carabiner or a sliding bolt) on every door. Don’ t forget to secure the top of the run; a simple net can deter an owl looking for an easy meal.”

“ Also, it ' s super important to remove the‘ invitation,’ since opossums and other predators are drawn to easy food sources,” adds Kong.

Raccoons

These intelligent mammals are notorious for their problemsolving skills and surprisingly nimble paws. They are primarily nocturnal and can be incredibly persistent when they find a potential food source. Their ability to open simple hooks, latches and even turn knobs makes many standard coop locks ineffective. Raccoons are incredibly clever and can open simple latches with ease.

Washington State Department of Agriculture( WSDA) spokesperson and poultry expert, Kim Vaughn tells AcreageLife that in Washington, raccoons, hawks, loose dogs and other predators can pose a risk to backyard chickens. To keep them safe, you need strong coops, covered runs and careful attention.

“ Runs need to be protected from above with bird netting or wire mesh to deter raccoons, hawks and other climbing or flying animals. Because predators are most active at dusk and overnight, birds should be secured in the coop before nightfall. Regular inspections of coops and runs help identify and repair gaps, loose boards or burrowed openings. Limiting wildlife access not only helps prevent predation but also reduces the risk of disease transmission to backyard flocks," says Vaughn.

Possums

Possums are often seen as slow, dopey scavengers, but they pose a real threat to a chicken flock. While they don ' t typically hunt chickens for sport, they are opportunistic and will attack birds if given the chance, especially chicks. More concerning is their potential to carry and transmit diseases, so keeping food secure is key. It ' s crucial to remove easy food sources that attract possums and other predators. Securely store all feed in metal containers and bring in the chickens ' feed and water at dusk to help safeguard your flock.

Owls

Owls, particularly Great Horned Owls, are powerful and silent aerial predators. They hunt at night, using their exceptional vision and stealth to surprise their prey. Chickens that are not securely locked in a coop after dark are easy targets. Owls often go unnoticed until it’ s too late, making overhead netting a simple yet effective solution to protect your flock. Remember to secure the top of the run. A simple net can deter an owl looking for an easy meal.

Your coop should be a fortress for your flock,

10 AcreageLife January 2026 AcreageLife. com