Raising backyard chickens comes with many joys: fresh eggs, quirky personalities, and a stronger connection to your food.
But for many chicken keepers, protecting the flock is a constant concern.
Predators view chickens as an easy meal, especially in suburban and rural areas where wildlife and domestic flocks share territory.
From clever raccoons to silent owls, the threats can come from the ground or the sky, day or night.
Understanding which predators are most common and how they operate is the first step toward securing your coop and giving your birds a fighting chance.
This article is for general knowledge only and is based on information from online sources.
Always follow local laws and consult animal welfare experts or licensed professionals when managing predator threats.
1. Predators Attacking At Night
Raccoons, foxes, and weasels often target coops after sunset when chickens are most vulnerable.
Their clever paws can open simple latches, and they’ll kill multiple birds in one visit.
Hardware cloth with half-inch openings works better than chicken wire for securing your coop.
Install sturdy locks on all doors and windows, not just simple hooks. Bury fencing at least 12 inches deep to stop diggers.
Motion-activated lights can startle nocturnal hunters and alert you to danger.
Regular evening checks ensure everyone’s safely locked inside before darkness falls completely.
2. Respiratory Diseases Spreading Quickly
Infectious bronchitis and Mycoplasma gallisepticum spread rapidly through flocks, causing sneezing, coughing, and eye discharge.
Poor ventilation makes respiratory problems worse by trapping moisture and ammonia fumes inside the coop.
Quarantine new birds for at least 30 days before introducing them to your existing flock.
Keep waterers clean and positioned where droppings can’t contaminate them.
Adequate airflow prevents humidity buildup without creating drafts on roosting chickens.
Watch for early warning signs like decreased egg production or unusual lethargy, and consult a veterinarian promptly when symptoms appear.
3. Hawks Hunting During Daylight
Red-tailed hawks and other raptors swoop down on free-ranging chickens in seconds, snatching smaller birds with powerful talons.
Open yards without cover make your flock easy targets for aerial predators scanning from above.
Overhead netting across runs creates a protective barrier that stops diving attacks.
Plant shrubs and place structures like picnic tables where chickens can dash for safety.
A rooster often alerts hens to danger, giving them precious seconds to hide.
Reflective tape or old CDs hung around the yard may deter some hawks, though determined hunters might ignore these tricks.
4. Coccidiosis Affecting Young Birds
This parasitic disease thrives in damp, dirty conditions and particularly threatens chicks between three and six weeks old.
Bloody droppings and hunched posture signal an infection that can kill within days if left untreated.
Keep brooders and coops dry by changing bedding frequently and fixing any leaks immediately.
Medicated starter feed helps build immunity in young birds during their vulnerable weeks.
Avoid overcrowding, which increases stress and spreads parasites faster among your flock.
Clean waterers daily to prevent contamination, and separate sick birds at the first sign of trouble.
5. Extreme Temperature Stress
Chickens tolerate cold better than heat, but both extremes can kill your flock if proper precautions aren’t taken.
Heatstroke causes panting, wing spreading, and collapse, while frostbite damages combs and wattles during bitter cold snaps.
Provide multiple water sources during summer and refresh them often to keep liquid cool.
Shade structures, fans, and frozen treats help birds regulate body temperature when mercury rises.
Insulate coops for winter without blocking ventilation, which remains critical year-round.
Avoid heat lamps when possible, as they cause fires and prevent natural cold adaptation.
6. Toxic Plants And Substances
Azaleas, rhododendrons, and nightshade family plants contain compounds deadly to chickens even in small amounts.
Mouldy feed produces aflatoxins that damage livers and kill birds slowly through organ failure.
Remove dangerous plants from areas where your flock roams freely, or fence them off completely.
Store feed in airtight containers away from moisture, and discard anything that smells musty or shows visible mould.
Avoid using pesticides or herbicides near coops and runs, as chemicals linger on grass chickens might eat.
Learn to identify common toxic plants in your region before letting birds explore new areas.
7. Internal And External Parasites
Mites, lice, and worms drain nutrients from your birds, causing weight loss, anemia, and death in severe cases.
External parasites hide in coop crevices during the day and feed on chickens at night, leaving birds exhausted and stressed.
Dust baths with food-grade diatomaceous earth help chickens control external pests naturally.
Regular deworming schedules keep internal parasites in check, though you should confirm infestations before treating unnecessarily.
Inspect birds monthly by parting feathers near the vent to spot crawling bugs.
Clean and treat coops thoroughly, focusing on roosts where mites congregate while chickens sleep.
8. Egg Binding In Hens
When an egg becomes stuck inside the reproductive tract, hens strain without success and show obvious discomfort.
Young pullets laying their first eggs and older hens face higher risk, especially if calcium levels run low in their diet.
Provide oyster shell free-choice so hens can supplement calcium as needed for strong shells.
A warm bath and gentle abdominal massage sometimes helps the egg pass, but veterinary intervention may become necessary.
Watch for hens spending excessive time in nesting boxes or walking with a penguin-like waddle.
Quick action improves survival chances, as untreated egg binding leads to infection and death.
