The Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is a mammal recognizable by its bony carapace, which has steadily expanded its range across the Southern United States. Its presence near backyard poultry often raises immediate concern about the safety of adult birds, chicks, or eggs. While the armadillo is a perceived threat due to its appearance and digging habits, the true risk to coop security is not what most people assume. Understanding the animal’s natural behavior is the first step in protecting a flock.
Armadillo Diet and Predatory Behavior
The definitive answer to whether armadillos prey on chickens is no; they are not built to be active predators of poultry. The Nine-banded Armadillo is classified as an insectivore, meaning its diet is overwhelmingly composed of invertebrates found underground. Studies show that up to 90% of an armadillo’s diet consists of invertebrates, such as beetle larvae, white grubs, ants, and earthworms.
They use their keen sense of smell and long claws to root for these food sources just beneath the soil surface. This feeding method involves shallow digging rather than active hunting. Armadillos possess small teeth useful for grinding up insects, making them ill-suited for capturing and tearing apart live prey like an adult chicken.
The remaining small percentage of their diet may occasionally include small amphibians, reptiles, or the eggs of ground-nesting birds. This consumption is opportunistic rather than a focused predatory effort. An armadillo may eat an egg it stumbles upon, but it lacks the speed or predatory instinct to pursue a healthy adult chicken or chick.
Structural Damage and Indirect Threats to the Coop
While the armadillo is not a direct threat to the birds, the real danger lies in the structural damage caused by their persistent digging. Armadillos are powerful excavators, creating numerous foraging holes typically one to three inches deep and three to five inches wide across a yard. This constant rooting near the coop’s perimeter can destabilize the ground around the structure.
Armadillos also dig extensive burrows for shelter, which can be seven to eight inches in diameter and up to 15 feet long. These burrows are frequently placed under dense cover, including foundations and brush piles, making the base of a chicken coop or run a prime target. Digging underneath a coop can undermine its foundation, causing supports to shift or concrete to crack.
A primary danger is the compromise of perimeter security. When an armadillo digs under the buried wire mesh or fence line of a chicken run, it creates an open tunnel. These breaches allow entry for true chicken predators, such as raccoons, foxes, and opossums, which are physically capable of harming poultry.
The digging can also cause trip hazards for both people and chickens. If a burrow is established beneath a feed storage area or a low-lying section of the coop, it can disrupt the integrity of the floor. The animal’s presence, even without direct attack, can cause severe stress among the flock if it accidentally enters the run.
Prevention and Exclusion Methods
The most effective strategy for protecting a coop from armadillo damage is to focus on physical exclusion and habitat modification. Since the animals seek food and shelter, removing these attractions discourages their presence. Begin by removing dense brush, woodpiles, and debris near the coop, as armadillos prefer areas with ample cover for burrows.
The most reliable physical barrier is a subterranean fence apron. This involves burying sturdy hardware cloth or wire mesh at least 12 to 18 inches deep around the entire perimeter of the chicken run. To maximize effectiveness, the wire should be bent outward at a 90-degree angle at the bottom, creating an L-shaped footer that blocks the armadillo’s attempt to dig beneath the fence line.
Habitat modification also includes reducing the availability of their primary food source: soil-borne insects. Reducing excess moisture and managing yard debris can naturally lower the insect population. Some non-lethal deterrents, such as castor oil-based products, are used to make the ground less appealing by spoiling the taste and smell of underground food sources.
Regular maintenance checks of the coop perimeter are necessary to identify and fill any new foraging holes immediately. Maintaining a secure, dig-proof barrier is the best defense against the structural weaknesses that invite secondary predation risks. By fortifying the foundation, coop owners eliminate the indirect threat posed by this insectivore.