How to Keep Coyotes Out of Your Backyard

 

Learn how to keep coyotes out of your backyard with predator‑proof coops, coyote‑resistant fencing, and simple steps to protect pets and chickens. 

If you live in a neighborhood where coyotes wander through from time to time, you already know they’re not prowling around like villains in a movie they’re just following food, water, and easy opportunities. And honestly, we make it pretty tempting for them. Between backyard chickens, outdoor dog bowls, and those cute little ponds everyone loves, our yards can look like a wildlife convenience store. Coyotes aren’t being aggressive; they’re being practical. Once you understand what draws them in, it becomes a whole lot easier to keep your pets, your chickens, and your backyard safe without feeling like you’re battling nature.

Why Urban Coyotes Show Up in Residential Backyards

Urban coyotes are incredibly adaptable. They’re most active at dawn and dusk, and they’d prefer to avoid people altogether. But they’re smart, and they remember where they found an easy meal. A chicken coop with a weak latch, a small dog left outside alone, or even a decorative pond that doubles as a watering hole  all of that is an invitation. They’re not “targeting” your home; they’re following scent trails, food sources, and water. When you remove those wildlife attractants, you dramatically reduce coyote activity around your property.

Making Chicken Coops Truly Predator‑Proof

If you keep backyard chickens, the coop is the first thing to look at. A lot of people think they have a predator‑proof chicken coop because it looks sturdy, but coyotes are problem‑solvers. They dig, they climb, and they test every weak spot. A safe coop means hardware cloth instead of chicken wire, a solid roof, and doors that actually lock. Free‑roaming chickens are basically a coyote’s version of fast food, so keeping them contained  especially during dawn and dusk makes a huge difference. When a coyote gets a chicken, it’s almost always because the coop wasn’t as secure as the owner believed.

Coyote‑Proof Fencing That Actually Works

For regular residential yards, coyote‑proof fencing can be a game‑changer. Coyotes can jump surprisingly high and they’re excellent climbers, so a standard fence won’t cut it. A seven‑foot fence with a roll bar (also called a coyote roller) on top is one of the most effective setups. The height keeps them from jumping over, and the roller prevents them from getting a grip to climb. When they try to pull themselves up, the bar spins and they slide right off.

And because coyotes are also diggers, the fence needs to go below ground ideally with a buried barrier or a cemented trench so they can’t tunnel underneath. Once it’s installed, it quietly does its job every single day without you having to think about it.

Cleaning Up the Attractants We Don’t Think About

Most people don’t realize how many little things in a yard attract wildlife. Leaving pet food outside is a big one  it’s basically a neon sign that says “free snacks.” Fallen fruit, unsecured trash cans, and even those pretty backyard ponds can draw coyotes in. Water is a huge attractant, especially during dry spells. If you have a pond or water feature, just be aware that wildlife will use it unless the yard itself is secured.

And of course, small pets should never be left outside alone, especially at night. Even a big dog can get into trouble if a coyote feels cornered or sees an opportunity. Coyotes aren’t looking for a fight, but they won’t turn down an easy meal.

Lights, Noise, and Other Backyard Coyote Deterrents

Motion‑activated lights and noise devices can help, especially in areas where coyotes regularly cut through. They’re not a magic solution, but they do make your yard less appealing. Think of them as the “annoying neighbor” of deterrents  not dangerous, just irritating enough that coyotes decide to go elsewhere. These tools work best when combined with secure fencing and

Motion-Activated Sprinklers: A Smart Deterrent (But Not for Pet Owners)

One of the most effective backyard coyote deterrents I’ve seen is the motion-activated sprinkler  the kind that blasts a strong jet of water when something moves into its sensor range. It doesn’t hurt the coyote, but it does sting enough to startle them and make them think twice about coming back. That sudden burst of water is a physical consequence, not just a flashing light or noise they can ignore.  

The ScareCrow motion-activated sprinkler, which detects movement up to 36 feet and sprays a powerful burst of water across a wide area. It’s solar-powered, easy to install, and works on coyotes, raccoons, deer, and even stray cats. If you’ve got chickens or a pond that’s attracting wildlife, this kind of sprinkler can be a great tool to discourage unwanted visitors.

That said, I wouldn’t recommend these sprinklers for people with outdoor pets. If your dog or cat sets it off, they’ll get blasted too, and that’s not exactly a fun surprise. So if you have pets that roam the yard, this might not be the best fit. But if your animals are indoors or in a secure run, and you’re trying to protect chickens or keep coyotes from sniffing around your pond, these sprinklers can be a great part of your backyard defense.

 

Working Together as a Community

Coyotes don’t care about property lines, so what your neighbors do matters just as much as what you do. If one house leaves pet food out or lets chickens free‑range, the whole block becomes more attractive to wildlife. Sharing information, encouraging proper coop construction, and reporting unusual behavior helps everyone stay safer. When a neighborhood works together, coyotes tend to move on because the easy meals disappear.

The Bottom Line

Coyotes aren’t villains they’re just part of the ecosystem. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your chickens or worry about your dogs every time they go outside. With secure fencing, a truly predator‑safe coop, and a yard that doesn’t offer food or water, you can protect your animals and still coexist with the wildlife around you. It’s all about making your property a place coyotes pass by instead of a place they settle into.

About the Author

Susan lives in a rural community where coyotes migrate through her yard daily. They come to drink from her pond and cross into the neighborhood, often unseen by most residents. Just because you don’t spot them doesn’t mean they’re not there  lurking quietly, looking for their next meal or a drink of water. Susan writes from real experience, blending practical advice with firsthand knowledge of what it’s like to share space with wildlife.

How to Build a Coyote-Proof Chicken Coop

 

If you want chickens in an area that is close to a wooded tract of land then, you need to keep them coyote-and other predator safe. Coyotes are part of our landscape especially near wooded tracts like parks or wooded tracts of land and they will take advantage of any easy meal. Free-roaming hens, unsecured coops, and flimsy fencing are open invitations.

When flocks are missing or only feathers are viewed, the blame often falls on the coyotes. But the real issue is poor preparation. Hunting coyotes doesn’t solve the problem it destabilizes populations and increases reproduction. The solution is responsible design: secure fencing, locked gates, and smart placement of the chicken coop.

A Proven Design: What Work

My niece lives just south of the city in a heavily wooded area by a park, where coyotes are frequent visitors. She used to let her chickens roam freely. No more. Now her flock is protected by a secure, well-designed enclosure that keeps coyotes out day and night.

Here’s how she built it:

• Fence height: 6-foot heavy-duty chain-link fencing surrounds the entire run.
• Trench and cement base: She dug a trench around the perimeter, buried the bottom foot of the fence, and poured concrete to prevent digging.
• Covered top: Chain-link fencing covers the top of the run, secured tightly to the side walls.
• Central coop: A sturdy wooden coop sits in the center, giving hens shelter and security.
• Locked gate: The entry gate has a padlock, and the ground beneath it is paved with concrete.
• Guardian dog: A Great Pyrenees watches over the yard, adding another layer of protection.

Her chickens are safe even in a neighborhood close to coyote territory.

 

Visual Guide: Coyote-Proof Coop Design

Click/open the card below to view the illustrated guide showing each element of a secure chicken coop from trench to top cover.

 

Step-by-Step: How to Build It

1. Choose the Location
Place your coop away from wooded tracts and overhanging trees. Coyotes prefer cover and quiet.

2. Dig a Trench
Dig a 12–18-inch trench around the perimeter of your run. This prevents coyotes from tunneling under.

3. Pour a Cement Base
Fill the trench with concrete and let it cure. This anchors the fence and blocks digging.

4. Set the Dimensions
Use 6-foot tall, heavy-gauge galvanized wire or chain-link fencing. Coyotes can climb lower fences.

5. Add a Secure Gate
Install a sturdy gate with strong hinges and a locking latch. Use concrete under the gate to block tunneling.

6. Secure the Top
Cover the top with wire fencing or chain-link and attach it tightly to the sides. Coyotes can climb if the top is open.

7. Lock Up at Night
Even with fencing, hens should be secured inside the coop at dusk.

8. Consider a Guardian Dog
Livestock guardian breeds like Great Pyrenees can deter coyotes and protect your flock.

 

Why Coyotes Target Chickens

Attractant	Risk
Free-roaming hens	Easy prey, especially at night
Open coops	No barrier to entry
Weak fencing	Coyotes can dig or climb
Outdoor pet food	Attracts rodents, which attract coyotes
Coop near wooded tract	Increases likelihood of encounters

 

Respect and Responsibility

Coyotes are not villains they’re opportunists. If food is easy to access, they’ll take it. If residents build secure coops, supervise pets, and remove attractants, coyotes will remain part of the ecosystem without becoming a threat.

Where I reside, the lesson is clear: if you want chickens, keep them coyote-safe. Don’t demand that coyotes be hunted because of poor preparation. Respect the land, respect the wildlife, and take responsibility for the animals you choose to raise.

When a Coyote Came Into Our Yard: What We Did About It

 

Living beside the woods has always been one of my favorite parts of our home. The wildlife, the quiet, the sense of being tucked into nature it’s all part of our daily rhythm. But years ago, long before my recent coyote article, we had an encounter that hit much closer to home. A coyote stepped out of the tree line and into our yard, and that moment changed how we approached living next to wild land. This is the story of what happened and the practical steps we took to keep our yard safe.

Our home is located directly next to 29 acres of woods, with a creek in the valley. That land connects to a state park, making it an ideal habitat for a variety of animals. We’ve always enjoyed watching the wildlife, but when a coyote came into our yard, it was too close for comfort. We knew we needed to act quickly, and this article explains exactly what we did to stop it from returning.

The First Visit

When coyotes come into your yard, the best immediate response is to scare them off. In general, coyotes are naturally fearful of humans. Most of the time, if you wave your arms and yell, they’ll run. But in the 15 years we’ve lived here, this was the first time a coyote had ever come this close. That told us something was attracting it, and we needed to figure out what.

What Was Drawing the Coyote In

Coyotes eat a wide variety of foods: small animals, insects, berries, and vegetables. I grow blueberries, Nanking cherries, and a full vegetable garden all outdoors and easily accessible.

After talking it over, my husband and I decided we needed a deterrent to keep the coyote from wandering into the yard again.

The Motion-Activated Sprinkler

We purchased a motion-activated water repellent the ScareCrow animal repellent by Contech. Installation was simple: stake it into the ground and attach it to the garden hose. It protects up to 1,200 square feet and is effective not only for coyotes but also stray dogs, deer, cats, raccoons, squirrels, and rabbits.

Here’s what happens when a coyote crosses the motion sensor:
The unit makes a sharp clicking noise and then releases a sudden burst of water. The noise startles the animal, and the water has enough force to create a quick sting. It’s harmless but unpleasant  exactly what you want in a deterrent.

The first time the coyote triggered it, it bolted. It tried a couple more times, testing the boundary, but each time the sprinkler fired, it backed off. Eventually, it stopped coming into the yard altogether.

Making the Yard Less Appealing

The next day, my husband and I walked the yard to look for anything else that might be attracting wildlife.

• Our dog’s food had spilled out of his bowl and was scattered on the ground. We fixed that by feeding him in the garage.
• We bought locking-lid trash cans from Lowe’s to keep animals out of the garbage.
• We cleared away thick, overgrown plants that created hiding spots. A manicured yard is far less comfortable for wildlife.

None of these changes were difficult, but together they made our yard much less appealing to curious animals.

A Note for City Residents

If you live in a city, your options may be different. In urban areas, I recommend contacting animal control and asking whether they can set a live trap to safely remove and relocate the coyote.

In our situation, trapping wasn’t realistic  there are many coyotes in the woods behind our home, and removing one wouldn’t solve the larger issue. Repellents and deterrents were the best approach for us.