Chicken Predators & Pests

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BackYardChickens.com

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How To Protect Your Chickens From Crows

Said to have the intelligence of a 2-year-old, crows have been known to think or strategize when observing their prey. It is common for crows to perch themselves on rooftops and electric poles overlooking poultry farms and learn the routine movement of your fowl. At the right time, they invade chicken coops to kill chicks and growers, and cart away eggs. This can reach up to a dozen or more depending on the flock of crows that invade your poultry farm.

a black and white husky dog with the words how to deal with dogs that kill chickens

Dog Proof Chicken Coop

Dealing With Dogs Who Kill Chickens

With all the predators that chicken's could be threatened by, dogs seem to be the number one issue people that raise chickens. Neighbor dogs and random at large or stray dogs, as well as your own dog(s), can be a major problem for those raising any type of livestock animal. However, before you go seeking revenge and shedding blood for blood, there are other options that may just work.

two large birds laying on the ground next to some trees and bushes with text overlay that reads pests & predators mites & lice treatment and prevent

Mites & Lice: Treatment And Prevention

A parasite is any living thing that lives off another living thing. External parasites can either suck blood or eat feathers. Chickens with bad infestations become thin, don’t lay eggs well, and have reduced fertility. With really bad infestations your birds may die. Chickens can get anemia from these bugs. In this article we learn how to treat and prevent a Mite & Lice Infestation!

a bobcat walking in the grass near some trees

Retractable Claws

Nature Photography Animals

Safari Photography

Animal Poses

Sharp Claws

Environmental Portraits

Dawn And Dusk

Royal Garden

Time Of The Day

How To Protect Your Chickens From Bobcats

Bobcats are known to hunt any time of the day, but are commonly observed to do so during twilight hours of dawn and dusk or early evenings. They have acute senses of sight and smell, and will go for the kill using their sharp claws and incisors. The bobcat will lie, crouch, or stand and wait for victims to wander close. It will then pounce, grabbing its prey with its sharp, retractable claws.

a red fox standing in the snow with text overlay reading winter chicken predators to look out for

Coyote Pack

Fox Eat

Chickens In The Winter

Winter Chicken Predators: Guarding Your Flock Against Cold-Weather Threats ❄️🐔

As the winter chill sets in, it's crucial to fortify your chicken coop against lurking predators. 🦉🦊 Learn how to protect your feathered friends from winter chicken predators with our essential tips. From crafty foxes to nocturnal owls, we've got you covered! 🚫❄️ #WinterChickenCare #PredatorProtection #BackyardChickens #ChickenPredators

a cat sitting on top of a rock with the words how to protect your chickens from cats

Chickens And Cats Together

How To Protect Your Chickens From Cats

These loveable and gentle creatures are popular pets, mainly because of their easy companionship, but they have instinctive predatory skills and have killed many chickens. However, cats are known to size up their prey. In fact, most cats often spare whole chickens, especially roosters and large hens who are known to fend for their lives with their own sharp pecking beaks and claws. Chicks and smaller hens, on the other hand, are easy pickings.

an owl sitting on top of a tree branch with the title how to protect your chickens from owls

How To Protect Your Chickens From Owls

Perched on a vantage point, such as a tree branch, owls keep an eye out for possible prey and when the opportunity presents itself they will swoop in silently and grab their unsuspecting prey with their sharp talons. Owls have been known to snap chicken necks like scissors and feed on them. Chicks are excellent prey because they can easily cart them away with their talons. Contrary to popular belief owls will also hunt during the day.

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Chicken Coup

Poultry Farm

Egg Shell

How To Protect Yourself

How To Protect Your Chickens From Mice

Since mice are renowned nibblers of seeds and fruits, they are not necessarily armed with killer instincts. But, given the opportunity, these rodents can wreak havoc on a poultry farm especially when they target the small, vulnerable chicks. They also love stealing chicken eggs and if you find an empty egg shell with a smallish hole on the side, chances are it was a mouse's handiwork.

North American Wildlife

How To Protect Your Chickens from Mountain Lions

Mountain lions are uncommon chicken predators and you are unlikely to have a problem with these unless you live in a rural setting, but there are always exceptions. They have no predators, and they feed on coyotes, deer, fox, lizards, rodents, possums, rabbits, livestock, poultry, raccoons, voles, beaver, porcupines, skunks and other small mammals, birds, and even fish. They are also opportunistic hunters and will take advantage of any hunting opportunity, such as unprotected livestock.

a black and white skunk is walking through the grass with text overlay that reads how to protect your chickens from skunks

Getting Rid Of Skunks

How To Protect Your Chickens From Skunks

Skunks (also known as polecats in the USA) are medium size mammals, probably best known for their ability to spray a liquid with a strong, unpleasant odor. Skunks are mostly nocturnal and begin their search for food at dusk. At sunrise, it will retire to it's den, which may be a ground burrow, beneath a building, or a rock pile. If skunks gain access to your coop, they will normally feed on the eggs and may hurt or kill your chickens.