How to Stop Raccoons From Killing Chickens at Night
If chickens are being killed at night, raccoons are often the reason. They are smart, persistent, and strong enough to tear through weak coops. To stop raccoons from killing chickens at night, you must remove every access point they can grab, pry, or pull open.
This guide explains what raccoons do, why most coops fail, and how to secure your setup properly.
Why raccoons target chickens at night
Raccoons are nocturnal and hunt when chickens are calm and confined. They test coops repeatedly, learning where wire bends, doors loosen, or latches fail.
Once a raccoon succeeds, it will return night after night.
How raccoons get into chicken coops
Most attacks happen because of small weaknesses.
Common entry points include:
- Chicken wire instead of hardware cloth
- Sliding doors without locks
- Loose vents or gaps near the roof
- Nesting boxes with weak hinges
- Openings at ground level
Raccoons don’t need a large opening. If they can fit a paw through, they can pull a chicken toward them.
The only methods that reliably stop raccoons
Use hardware cloth, not chicken wire
Chicken wire is meant to contain chickens, not predators. Raccoons can rip it open. Use galvanized hardware cloth on all openings.
Lock every door and nesting box
Raccoons can open simple latches. Use lockable latches, carabiners, or double-step locks that require opposing movement.
Block digging access
Install a wire apron around the base of the coop or use a raised floor. This prevents raccoons from digging underneath.
Eliminate reach points
Cover vents, corners, and gaps tightly. Any opening larger than two inches is a risk.
Why lights, noise, and traps don’t work long term
Motion lights, radios, and scare devices may help briefly, but raccoons adapt quickly. Once food is involved, they ignore deterrents.
Physical barriers are the only long-term solution.
When your coop is the real problem
If attacks keep happening, the issue is usually the coop itself. Many mass-produced or DIY coops are built for convenience, not predator resistance.
A properly built raccoon-resistant coop removes weak points instead of trying to scare predators away.
You can see examples of reinforced designs here:
👉 predator proof chicken coop for sale
(Use this link ONCE only.)
Final thoughts
To stop raccoons from killing chickens at night, you must think like a predator. If a coop can be pried, pulled, bent, or reached into, raccoons will exploit it.
Secure construction works. Everything else eventually fails.
