5 Ways to Protect Your Flock 

One of the most jolting things that can happen in the middle of the night is waking up in a panic at the realization you may have forgotten to lock up your chickens. Unfortunately, over the 16 years of homesteading there have been a few times we have forgotten to close the chicken coop and have lost birds. It happens to many of us because well, life happens. We get busy and sometimes we forget important things. But, something else that may happen after you’ve had a loss in the middle of the night panic.
It comes out of nowhere most times. You’ll be just sleeping peacefully and then PANIC sets in! “Did I lock up the birds?”

I’m sure for some of you reading this it’s not your poultry you may have forgotten. It could be your cows, goats, sheep, horse, or the water you had running to fill up the trough. The water running panic has gotten me a number of times as well until we bought an auto water shut-off timer. That was that a great investment!

Protecting your chickens from predators is not difficult but it does require some planning, intention, and not forgetting. 

Here are 5 ways to keep your chickens protect and prevent middle-of-the-night panic attacks. 

1. Build a solid coop or enclosure that is protected on the bottom sides and top. You want to spend extra effort making the coop and run as secure as possible. 
2. Make the area uninviting to predators. Dogs, cats, turkeys, geese, and donkeys can be great additions to the farm to deter some predators.  Do your research to find out which would be right for your farm. 
3. Keep any tall brush at a minimum near your coop. Don’t make it easy to hide in the brush. 
4. Be very careful when letting your chickens free-range.  Losing chickens to predators can happen very quickly and can be devastating. Unless you have a really good predator-proof area, it’s only a matter of time for them to find your chickens. Really assess your land, research what predators are in your area, and learn how they hunt so that you are prepared. 
5. Set an alarm on your phone to remind you to lock up your birds. This will save you from having that middle-of-the-night panic attack. 

I hope this post has helped someone remember to do a mental double-check and your birds (or other animals) are safe tonight. 

Watch my Instagram Reel to see a reenactment of the panic attack. It’s entertaining 😀 

Have you ever had this type of panic attack in the middle of the night? Comment below!