If you are raising chickens in the backyard then you must know what are the dangers and enemies of your birds and how to protect them. This is a must read as the chickens need to be protected from predators, other dangers like pets and also against anything that can hurt them.
I have a dozen of chickens in my backyard. Though I have built a coop for them but the chickens need fresh air and open space to scratch . So I let them move freely in my garden. On one such day one of them made a flight outside and fell prey to a dog. I consulted a friend and got the wings of all other birds clipped. Thank God, now they can’t make a flight and are safe from such attacks. Here are some other dangers that you need to protect your chickens against.
The most common predators are raccoons, fox, fisher cat, coyotes, red tailed hawks etc. To protect your chickens from these wild animals a run around the coop is must. This helps to discourage predators from digging into the ground and make their way inside the coop.
To protect your chickens from the pets like dogs and cats you must clip their wings. You can always chain your own pets but the birds can make a flight to the neighborhood and fall prey to their dog. I have already told my story. Believe me this is common and can happen anywhere , anytime .
When building the coop for your chickens avoid using material with sharp edges and take time to round all the corners. The roost and nest boxes should be made with rounded wood and cardboard or any other soft material. Put some straw and wood dust to make the bedding and nest box more comfortable.
Chickens can be very good pets. If you spend some time with them you will notice many interesting things. They are friendly in nature and will show love to you in their own little way. For involving your family and kids you can buy a few chickens which lay different color eggs. You may protect your chickens from other dangers building a safe chicken coop
depending on your location.
Chickens should also be protected from diseases and insects like mites etc. Be alert whenever you feel a change in behavior or smell strange. Prevention is always better. If any symptoms are found then spray insecticides in the coop and you may have to give medicine to your birds.
In the end it is advisable to build a chicken house or coop that will ensure safety and security of your chickens. It is your utmost duty to keep them comfortable and safe from predators. Here are tips to secured homemade chicken coops.
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