Common Weak Points
Most predator losses happen because of gaps that owners assume are too small to matter. Raccoons can open simple latches and reach through wire with small openings, while weasels can squeeze through gaps as small as an inch. Digging predators like foxes and dogs will tunnel under coop walls if there’s no barrier below ground level, so every entry point needs to be evaluated with a predator’s persistence in mind.
Building In Protection
Use half-inch hardware cloth instead of chicken wire, which only keeps chickens in rather than predators out. Bury hardware cloth at least twelve inches deep around the perimeter or attach an apron that extends outward to stop digging. Use carabiners or double-step latches instead of simple hook closures, and make sure the coop is fully enclosed and locked up every night, since most predator attacks happen after dark.
