How to Fox Proof Your Chicken Coop (With 9 Steps)

by Jennifer Behm – Chicken farmer| Last Updated– 17 January 2023

This tends to be a large issue for farmers and other individuals within the chicken farming business, and they claim that the foxes are probably one of the most problematic predators to their chickens well being.

Luckily for you, these farmers and I have compiled together a guide that can help you to not only prevent foxes from gaining access into your chicken coop, but also to keep foxes away altogether.

I’ve put together a guide that contains information on how to create a predator-proof chicken coop in general as well as creating a fox-proof chicken coop specifically. Lastly, there are some of the best fox repellents on the market and step-by-step instructions on how to get started.

How to Fox Proof Your Chicken Coop?

What You’ll Need

Predator Proof Chicken Coop DIY

• Wire mesh: You can use this Hot Dip Galvanized wire mesh to protect your chicken coop from fox, It currently costs, $65.99 on Amazon. You can check the most updated price by clicking here. 
• Complex locking system: A good locking system is important for better chicken coop projection. So, I found this ChickenGuard locking system that comes with self-locking technology and offers good design for chicken coop. You can check this locking system on Amazon, by clicking here. 
• Sensor lights: I’ve found this great sensor light that will protect your chicken coop from predators, Checkout Foxlights Night Predator Deterrent on Amazon.
• Odor repellent
• Slat fence (optional)
• Motion-activated sprinklers (optional)

How to Do It

Consider Your Chicken Coop Design

Step 1:

You must consider the type of chicken coop that you have to make it predator-proof. The easiest types of chicken coops to prevent fox attacks are tractor chicken coops that are designed to having mobile abilities.

Given that, you can move the tractor coop to safer areas during the night time to prevent fox disturbances.

Some coops are classified as mobile coops, while others aren’t but still seemingly have the ability to move around like a mobile chicken coop.

Here is an example to help you better understand. But if you don’t have a mobile coop, then there are still plenty of things that you can do to prevent a fox from disturbing your chickens.

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Attach Permanent Mesh Fence

Step 2:

Next, regardless of the type of chicken coop that you have, you’re recommended to attach a sturdy wire material around the outside of the coop.

Most coops are already designed with a wire material, but foxes are sly and creative animals that can easily tear through the thin wire and sneak through the small opening.

That being said, you can prevent this from happening by installing a sturdy mesh wire on the exterior of your coop.

I’ve already mentioned a wire mesh above that you can use.

Not only will it prevent foxes and other predators from gaining access to the inside of the coop, but most mesh wire materials are easy to install by using cable ties or some other means of assembly.Here is an example of what an additional mesh wire looks like on a chicken coop.

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Assemble Mesh Wire on the Bottom of the Coop

Step 3:

As mentioned previously, foxes are creative and smart creatures, so if they’re unable to access the chickens by biting through the wire on the side, they’ll usually start to dig beside the coop to gain access from underneath.

That being said, you’ll want to install a mesh wire onto the bottom of the chicken coop as well as the sides for extra protection. This keeps the foxes and other predators from having the ability to dig underneath and grab your chickens from there.

You’ll also want to consider the comfort of your chickens when you’re assembling the wire onto the bottom of the coop though.

Since the chickens will be standing on the material, you won’t want to install a wire that’s too thick and can negatively affect their feet while they’re walking around.

You should find a wire that’s specifically designed to allow dirt and grass to seep through the wire material while also preventing predators from coming inside.

You may find this YouTube video helpful for how to install wire to the bottom of a chicken coop.

Use Chicken Coop Lock

Step 4:

Since foxes have grown smart over the years, you must install a locking system for your chicken coop.Not only that, but you’ll need one that is more complex than the simple latch since sometimes animals can figure out how to undo latches and other simple locks.

That being said, you’ll want to use a lock that involves more than pushing a latch or a button. You may even want to consider using a padlock or a combination lock.

Installing a more complex lock will not only prevent foxes and other animals from getting the chickens, but it’ll also prevent other people from getting into the chicken coop without your permission.

I recommend that you install complex locks on all of the doors that can be used to access the inside of the chicken coop. Here is an example of a lock that would be sufficient enough to keep predators away.

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Install a Fence for Chickens

Step 5:

After you’ve considered everything to fox proof your chicken coop, there are still a few things that you can do to prevent foxes from coming near the chicken coop altogether. One of the most beneficial ways that I recommend the most on how to keep foxes away from chickens is to install a fence.

Not just any fence, since foxes can jump over or squeeze between small spaces. But you’ll want a fence that has flat slats as the boards. This will prevent them from even having the ability to sneak into your yard or see the chickens.

The fence will prevent foxes and other predators from getting into your yard, and they’ll even increase the amount of privacy that you have in your yard.

This is especially beneficial for those of you that live in more populated areas with smaller yards and more neighbors. For more assistance when fencing foxes out, here is a YouTube video on how to install the right kind of fence.

Clear Your Yard for Animal Proof

Step 6:

If you don’t have the time or money to install a fence, then you can also prevent foxes from coming near your chickens by clearing away anything from your yard that they can hide in.

Especially in well-lit areas, foxes tend to hide behind and in between small crevices to prevent their prey from seeing them.

So they might hide in a shed or under debris to prevent you or the chickens from seeing them in the act.

Because of that, you can prevent them from running and attempting to attack your chickens by removing any debris that they may have the ability to hide behind.

You’ll want to keep your backyard clean and cover any spaces that are big enough for foxes to hide in.

Install Sensor Lights Fox Safe Chicken Coop

Step 7:

Even if you have a fence and a clear backyard, sometimes foxes are sneaky enough to still find a way to gain access to your yard and attack your chickens, especially in the dark.

Perhaps the most beneficial way to fully prevent foxes from trying to attack your chicken coop is to install sensor lights. Sensor lights can turn on when they sense certain movements throughout your yard.

For the ultimate protection you can use this Foxlights Night Predator Deterrent which will protect your chicken coop from predators such as fox, it will automatically turn on after sundown and off after sun rises. It currently costs $113.99, check out the latest price on Amazon.

From that, you’ll be able to startle the foxes or other predators from contacting your chicken coop during the nighttime.

And since foxes are nocturnal, they tend to attack the most at nighttime when they think no one else can see them. So by having a bright light randomly turn on when they’re not expecting it, they’ll become scared and will most likely run away (1).

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Get a Watch Dog

Step 8:

You may think that the last thing your chickens need for protection is a dog. But you may benefit from having a watchdog around, especially at nighttime.

Dogs can be specially trained to bark, scare, or even attack any predators that come their way when they’re not supposed to.

This can prevent foxes and their predators from coming into your yard at night since the foxes or other animals will be startled when they hear a dog’s bark.

Use Fox Repellent

Step 9:

Your last resort may be the watchdog since it’s the most effective in keeping predators and foxes away. But I recommend using fox repellent from the very beginning. It’s been the most effective for my farm and it’s extremely easy to use.

Fox repellent comes in many different forms and designs, but most of them are specifically designed to release chemicals that can enforce foxes and other predators to leave when they smell it.

Some products have a strong ammonia smell that can mimic the urine of other animals. And other products have a citronella smell that can make foxes uncomfortable.

Regardless, they all tend to be effective and they’re not harmful to your chickens, especially when you install them around the borders of your yard.

Some of the best fox repellents on the market

Animal traps

Image	Product	Top rated
Animals Cage Trap (1 or 2 -Door)	Havahart Large Humane Animal Trap Target Species Groundhog, Armadillo, Cat, Raccoon, Opossum, Skunk Item Dimensions LxWxH 32 x 10 x 12 inches Material Steel Check Price	Check Price
Trapping Raccoon (1 Trap)	Bridger Dog Proof T3 Excellent product I used a screwdriver to set trap, don't need the set tool Works as advertised Check Price	Check Price

How to keep foxes away from chicken coop?

How to build a predator-proof chicken coop?

Pro Tips:

• Only let your chickens out of their coop during the day when there is noise and other disturbances around
• Walk around your chickens randomly throughout the day, since any predators watching will see the random patrolling and resist trying to attack
• Maybe consider putting motion-activated sprinklers in your backyard, since this will initiate water to sprinkle on foxes when they enter your yard

Conclusion

Overall, foxes tend to be one of the biggest problems that your chicken coop can face, especially at nighttime. But you don’t have to worry, since this guide has all of the information you need to not only keep foxes away and repel them to being with, but also to fox proof your chicken coop just in case they do gain access to your yard.

It contains step-by-step information that can tell you how to keep foxes away from chickens and how to completely fox proof chicken coops.

Whether it’s installing fences or sense or lights, you won’t have to worry about predators affecting your chickens when you follow this guide and take the advice that I’ve provided.

That being said, I hope you liked this tutorial and find it helpful in keeping your chickens safe and happy. If you have any other suggestions or advice, then I highly encourage you to leave them in the comments section below.

And if you’ve found it helpful at all, I’d kindly ask that you share if to spread the information.

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References:

• How to Use Deterrents to Stop Damage Caused by Nuisance Wildlife in Your Yard – edis.ifas.ufl.edu
• The scent of wolves: pyrazine analogs induce avoidance and vigilance behaviors in prey – www.frontiersin.org
• Animal repellent – en.wikipedia.org
• Chicken wire – en.wikipedia.org
• Trapping – en.wikipedia.org