How to Protect Chickens From Wild Birds

The practice of keeping chickens is not something restricted to farmers and ranchers. Chickens are commonly found within city limits in many areas since chickens can be good companions and family pets. Chickens are relatively easy birds to keep, although they can be injured by predators if not properly protected. Dogs, coyotes, and even large wild birds can quickly decimate your flock of chickens. Protecting your chickens from wild birds is necessary for their health and safety.

Things You'll Need

  • Bird netting
  • Scissors
  • Fishing line
  • Lightweight metal scraps
  • Plastic owl
  • Ground cover such as bushes
  • Dog
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cover the top of your chicken coop with bird netting. Bird netting is a finely woven net that is used to make bird traps and will help keep your chickens in and large predatory birds out of your coop. Lay the netting over the top of your coop and tie it to your fencing with fishing line, trimming the excess netting away with the scissors.

    • 2

      Tie ten to fifteen lightweight metal scraps around the exterior of your chicken coop. Poke a small hole in your scrap metal and thread a length of fishing line through it, tying it to your fence to hold it in place. Scraps such as soda cans, strips of aluminum foil and disposable aluminum pie tins reflect sunlight and will deter wild birds from invading your coop.

    • 3

      Add a large plastic owl to the top rail of your chicken coop. Predatory birds will think the plastic owl is a real bird and will avoid the area. You can purchase plastic owls at most home improvement or farm and ranch supply stores.

    • 4

      Plant ground cover bushes around your property. Wild birds most often attack prey that roam in open areas, and your chickens will hide under the bushes to protect themselves. Short, dense bushes such as evergreens are easy to maintain and work well to keep your birds safe.

    • 5

      Turn your dog out to watch over your flock. Wild birds will see your dog as a threat and will not attack your chickens. Introduce your dog to the chickens when they are young and he will learn to accept them and will not harm them.