Predator-proof run: my biggest concern!

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Korzak

Korzak

Songster
7 Years
Oct 25, 2014
73
28
132
Hamden, CT
Hi all,

I have read a lot of threads on this but still feel the need to ask...

Can we bury a wire floor in the run with two inches of soil, and not have to worry about chickens getting foot injuries when they dig and scratch?

I am 100% confident in my ability to build our coop, but it is the floor of the run that I am worried about. We live next to open space, and know that we have foxes and coons around, and god knows what else...maybe fisher cats. We want a secure run that is attached to the coop, so the chickens can go in and out as they please.

Our ground is INSANELY ROCKY, and I mean rocks bigger than your head every foot or so, so digging out the whole bottom of the run to sink the wire deeper isn't an option. For that same reason, an apron on the outside would be just as difficult. A floor made of hardware cloth that is buried under 2" of soil would be the simplest solution.

Thanks!!!
 
I wouldn't do it. They get bumblefoot surprisingly easy and they will scratch deep holes.
It is easier to extend a skirt out away from the coop and run about 2 feet covered with soil or stone. The predators will dig right next to the edge not knowing to back up a couple feet.
 
ChickenCanoe said:
I wouldn't do it. They get bumblefoot surprisingly easy and they will scratch deep holes.
It is easier to extend a skirt out away from the coop and run about 2 feet covered with soil or stone. The predators will dig right next to the edge not knowing to back up a couple feet.
Click to expand...

that is a pretty good idea!
 
Korzak said:
Hi all,

I have read a lot of threads on this but still feel the need to ask...


Can we bury a wire floor in the run with two inches of soil, and not have to worry about chickens getting foot injuries when they dig and scratch?

I am 100% confident in my ability to build our coop, but it is the floor of the run that I am worried about.  We live next to open space, and know that we have foxes and coons around, and god knows what else...maybe fisher cats.  We want a secure run that is attached to the coop, so the chickens can go in and out as they please.

Our ground is INSANELY ROCKY, and I mean rocks bigger than your head every foot or so, so digging out the whole bottom of the run to sink the wire deeper isn't an option.  For that same reason, an apron on the outside would be just as difficult.  A floor made of hardware cloth that is buried under 2" of soil would be the simplest solution.


Thanks!!!
Click to expand...


I think you could make it work if you use the Deep Litter Method in your run and have a some sort of above-ground dust bath for them. We have anywhere from 4 - 6 " of grass clippings, hay, straw, leaves etc in the run so the chickens really don't dig/scratch down into the soil looking for bugs. Their dust bath is in a raised, galivinazed tub so they aren't tempted to dig holes to bath in.
 
If you have to pick between the two, go with the apron. If you bury the hardware cloth, in a year or so, maybe less, it's going to deteriorate, rust and start coming apart. Causing nothing but problems for your chickens. Because that is one of their favorite things to do, dig.
 
Wouldn't a buried apron of hardware cloth also rust out? Or does it not get buried very deep, or you just let it be covered with gravel? Thanks!
 
Korzak said:
Wouldn't a buried apron of hardware cloth also rust out? Or does it not get buried very deep, or you just let it be covered with gravel? Thanks!
Click to expand...


Yeah, it probably would. But at least it wouldn't be a problem for the chicken's feet. And that's why I don't have any of that stuff. I have 650' of electrified poultry net surrounding my coop.
 
Korzak said:
Wouldn't a buried apron of hardware cloth also rust out? Or does it not get buried very deep, or you just let it be covered with gravel? Thanks!
Click to expand...

You can literally just lay the apron on the ground and pin it with landscape staples. You can also cover it with gravel and stone.
 
I agree with all the comments but I just wanted to add that the only predator that is extremely smart is the raccoon.
The rest seem smart but they are just persistent.
 
Thanks everyone! It seems like a 2' apron all around the run is the best thing to do. We'll probably cover it with soil and let stuff grow up through it, or maybe gravel.
 

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