Chickens digging

[Taysan10]

My 12 chickens (8 weeks old) are digging out of their run. It’s 11.5x12. Is this not big enough? Are they bored? We haven’t buried hardware cloth yet as husband is traveling. Will hopefully be working on that next week. Help!

 

[Star428]

Probably just holes from dust bathing you'd be surprised on what they can do just from violently rolling around on the ground for a while

 

[Taysan10]

Probably just holes from dust bathing you'd be surprised on what they can do just from violently rolling around on the ground for a while

Yeah maybe. Although they are escaping from the hole and I’m lucky one of my dogs hasn’t gotten to them yet

 

[Star428]

Yeah maybe. Although they are escaping from the hole and I’m lucky one of my dogs hasn’t gotten to them yet

I put rocks or bricks around the run so they don't dig out

 

[Taysan10]

I put rocks or bricks around the run so they don't dig out

On the inside?

 

[Star428]

On the inside?

Outside they need the inside clear so they can dustbathe

 

[Shadrach]

My 12 chickens (8 weeks old) are digging out of their run. It’s 11.5x12. Is this not big enough? Are they bored? We haven’t buried hardware cloth yet as husband is traveling. Will hopefully be working on that next week. Help!

A six inch wide hardware cloth skirt buried a few inches in the ground on the inside should stop them getting out. Once they hit the hardware cloth they go and dig soemwhere else.

 

[Taysan10]

A six inch wide hardware cloth skirt buried a few inches in the ground on the inside should stop them getting out. Once they hit the hardware cloth they go and dig soemwhere else.

Do I need to do that on the outside too to prevent predators?

 

[Tired old Rooster]

Do I need to do that on the outside too to prevent predators?

Good idea to do that.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Chickens dig, it's what they do. I'd recommend a predator apron of 16-24" on the outside, plus pavers, rocks, branches on the inside will work to keep them away from the edges, like so. Notice I don't have all the items stacked end to end, I find it sufficient to simply discourage them from scratching against the fence edge: