How to Build a Predator-Proof Chicken Run Around Your Coop — The Scottish Method

Comments · 22

• NO

  @nogames8982 · 1 month ago

  Hardware cloth is very handy for so many different things around the Homestead

  1

• NO

  @nogames8982 · 1 month ago

  Depending on where you live, a predator proof, coupe is hard to build around here in Washington state in my area we have coyotes, Fox, raccoons, hawks, owls. Then a little farther out in the country there are bear and mountain lions just to make life more interesting. Heck there’s mountain lions in the middle of town once in a while. There are even a few wolves out there. Those are a whole other level and that gets scary. That’s when people start bringing out the electric fence and the shotgun. And then, of course there’s always the stray dogs. People don’t want to admit that luckily in my town, we are allowed to do what we must to protect our chickens. I love animals, but I will do what I need to to protect mine.

  2

• GR

  @greghayes3100 · 1 month ago

  In Australia, especially Russell island,  foxes are not the problem. It is the Pythons that break us.

• HE

  @helentc · 1 month ago

  My neighbour has his pen built out of lumber and half inch hardware cloth. I believe he put the hardware cloth on the bottom of the interior of the pen. That method would use more fencing, but seems suitable too. I was planning to do this and then layer plant material, prunings, leaves, etc on the bottom, which would eventually become a soil layer on top of the hardware cloth. In the meantime, the chickens get to enjoy the plant material you keep layering for them.    I don't think you'd want to leave it uncovered as it might be hard on your birds feet long term, but I think covered is good.

  1

• JE

  @jenniferpaterson8587 · 1 month ago

  ❤we have CATS ❤ Thank you so much ❤

  1

• ST

  @stevetavares1837 · 1 month ago

  Very good video,use to raise chicken in Northern California,U.S.A,we had problems,Birds of prey, foxes Coyotes,thank you for your time you put in on this video 😊❤❤

  4

• R.

  @r.e.sutherland9577 · 1 month ago

  Hi. (21Aug2026) &nbsp;South Carolina...Thank you for this excellent discussion and instruction. &nbsp;May I share? &nbsp;I also built a &apos;Chicken Fortress&apos;... which is holding after 4 years, as I learn new methods with my runs. &nbsp;Raccoons are my nuisance, since they climb over the 8 foot fence around my back yard. &nbsp;They dig in my garden to get to the Blood and Bone meal... and they check the hen house. &nbsp;I now grow Cayenne peppers... dry them ... and grind them. &nbsp;I powder cayenne around the hen house on the outside... BE GENEROUS. &nbsp;The pepper powder burns the inside of their noses and they LEARN to leave my hens alone. &nbsp;I sprinkle it atop areas when I plant seedlings. &nbsp;I use whole cayenne peppers spaced along my garden rows to remind the raccoons of their pain. &nbsp;I sprinkled it on the top of the fence to give them a &apos;hot foot&apos;. &nbsp;So far this year, the raccoon made one entry and never came back. &nbsp;Hope this helps someone! &nbsp;Reporting. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <br>R.E. Sutherland, M.Ed./ Sciences<br>24 years - Virginia Licensed Science Teacher (biology, chemistry, physics) <br>9 years-(DOE/SRS) Nuclear lab and Nuclear Radiological Protection Inspector

  1

• KL

  @klc5768 · 1 month ago

  Easiest and cheapest way to prevent land predators is electric fencing around the coop and run. 2 or 3 strands of electric twine after a few zaps predators will be very cautious about getting in. Also cobble rock which can&apos;t be dug through.

  2

• LO

  @Looby-v7l · 1 month ago

  North Wales, foxes &amp; mink.

• SP

  @spymaine89 · 1 month ago

  yea

• AN

  @AndrewRunnion-cr5zs · 1 month ago

  I&apos;ll be dammed if anything gets after my chickens protected by law or not it&apos;s eather dead or if I catch it live it&apos;s gone.

• FA

  @farmsteadflowersandfoxhoun8302 · 1 month ago

  In 50 years of having chickens I’ve decided there isn’t any creature that won’t kill them. &nbsp;I’ve fought them all. Wanting the birds to free range during the day is a huge risk. Lost a duck in a 10x30 that an owl thought was a runway. Something is after the chickens these last couple weeks. It’s usually late afternoon and I’ve had one killed/eaten and others mauled. Maybe a neighbor dog or something smaller. My Foxhounds would smell a fox or coyote long before it got to my garage plus those are primarily nocturnal hunters. Might have to keep them locked in a pen for a while.