Predator-Proof Chicken Coop Plans

Chicken keeping has one rule: everything wants to eat your hens. A truly predator-proof coop costs maybe 15% more in materials and saves you the heartbreak of a 4 AM massacre.

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Coop

Any size

Run

Any size

Materials

+15-25% vs basic build

Build time

Adds 1 weekend for apron and locks

Best for

Rural properties
Anywhere with raccoons, foxes, coyotes, or weasels
Free-range flocks that lock up at night

What's included

1/2" hardware cloth on EVERY opening (chicken wire is for keeping chickens IN, not predators OUT)
12" wide buried or laid predator apron
Raccoon-proof latches (require two motions, slide and turn)
Solid floor or buried wire mesh under run
Covered run top (hardware cloth or solid roof)
Automatic coop door with secure latch
Hardware cloth wrapped at corners with no gaps over 1/2"

Build steps

Predator-specific threat assessment by region
Hardware cloth specification (gauge, mesh size, attachment)
Predator apron installation (lay-flat vs buried)
Lock and latch hardware list
Pop door and automatic door options
Run top and wall covering
Coop seal-up checklist

Frequently asked questions

What kills chickens at night?

Raccoons (top suspect, they reach through wire), opossums, weasels, mink, owls, and rats. Daytime: hawks, dogs, foxes, coyotes.

Is chicken wire predator-proof?

No, raccoons rip through chicken wire easily. Always use 1/2" hardware cloth (welded steel mesh) on every opening.

How deep should a predator apron be?

12" wide is enough. Lay it flat against the ground or bury 4-6" deep. Diggers (foxes, dogs) hit the wire and stop trying.