Beavers are large, semi-aquatic rodents known primarily for modifying their environment by building dams and lodges. The question of whether they prey on domestic fowl is a common concern for chicken keepers near water sources. The answer is definitively no; beavers are strict herbivores and do not eat chickens or any other type of meat. Their specialized diet and digestive system are entirely adapted for processing plant material, making them biologically incapable of predation.
The Herbivorous Diet of Beavers
Beavers maintain an entirely vegetarian diet that shifts seasonally depending on the availability of flora. During spring and summer, their diet primarily consists of soft, herbaceous plants such as aquatic grasses, sedges, water lilies, leaves, and roots. This material is easily accessible and provides necessary nutrients during the warmer months.
As the weather cools in autumn and winter, beavers transition to a diet focused on woody plants, specifically the bark and cambium layer of trees. The cambium, which is the soft, living tissue just beneath the bark, is nutrient-rich and serves as a major food source when soft vegetation is scarce. They prefer deciduous trees like willow, aspen, birch, and cottonwood for this purpose.
Their digestive system is uniquely adapted to break down this tough, cellulose-heavy plant matter. Beavers are hindgut fermenters, possessing an enlarged cecum that houses a dense population of microorganisms. These bacteria and fungi produce enzymes necessary to digest the lignocellulose found in wood and bark, enabling the beaver to extract nutrients that other animals cannot.
Beaver Interactions with Domestic Animals
Any perceived conflict between beavers and domestic fowl results from habitat overlap, not predatory intent. Beavers are shy, nocturnal animals that prefer to avoid humans and other large creatures. They do not recognize chickens as a food source, and their large, chisel-like incisors are designed for gnawing wood, not catching or tearing flesh.
A beaver might venture close to a human dwelling, such as a chicken coop, if it is located near its stream or pond habitat. Their movements on land are only for foraging for plant material or gathering wood for construction. If a beaver gnawed on nearby wooden infrastructure, it would be to access the cambium or acquire building material for a dam or lodge.
Beavers only interact defensively if they feel cornered or if their young are threatened. They pose no threat of predation to chickens, unlike many other common neighborhood wildlife species. The presence of a beaver near a coop simply indicates proximity to a water source and suitable plant life.
Protecting Coops from Actual Wildlife Threats
Since beavers are not a danger, attention should focus on the true predators that threaten poultry flocks. Common threats in North American habitats include raccoons, foxes, coyotes, and various birds of prey. Raccoons are known for their dexterity and often target eggs and young chicks, while coyotes and foxes carry off adult birds.
To secure a flock, physical barriers are the most effective measure against ground predators. Coops and runs should be built using heavy-duty, galvanized hardware cloth, which is much stronger than standard chicken wire. Fencing should be buried at least 12 inches deep and bent outward in an L-shape to deter animals like foxes and skunks from digging underneath.
Protecting from aerial attacks requires covering the entire run with netting or a solid roof to prevent access by hawks and owls. Nocturnal predators, such as raccoons and owls, can be managed by ensuring the coop door is securely latched every evening. These practices address the actual risks to poultry, allowing the herbivorous beaver to remain a harmless neighbor.