Yes, just dirt. All of my runs are just plain, old dirt -- but with protective hardware cloth aprons two feet out and weighted down. The run sides and the top are all covered in hardware cloth.
Three of my coops came without floors and just rested on the ground. I installed hardware cloth in all of those.
I totally understand about not killing predators. I was reluctant to even kill the rats, but since they were getting into the coops, I HAD to do something. The rats were caught in kill traps -- baited with dog kibble that was hot glued down so they couldn't dine and dash. Eventually, I got an electronic trap the rats would enter and get electrocuted.
It's easy to blame predators and hate them. But, they're just doing what comes naturally and can't really be expected to know the difference between a wild meal and a domesticated one. The best strategy, as you now know, is a good defense.
BTW, it took a long time, but my poultry -- chickens, ducks and geese -- resumed "free ranging" during the day, in the yard adjoining the house (no more wandering back to the barn area) and only when I am home. We all rest Much Better now.
Three of my coops came without floors and just rested on the ground. I installed hardware cloth in all of those.
I totally understand about not killing predators. I was reluctant to even kill the rats, but since they were getting into the coops, I HAD to do something. The rats were caught in kill traps -- baited with dog kibble that was hot glued down so they couldn't dine and dash. Eventually, I got an electronic trap the rats would enter and get electrocuted.
It's easy to blame predators and hate them. But, they're just doing what comes naturally and can't really be expected to know the difference between a wild meal and a domesticated one. The best strategy, as you now know, is a good defense.
BTW, it took a long time, but my poultry -- chickens, ducks and geese -- resumed "free ranging" during the day, in the yard adjoining the house (no more wandering back to the barn area) and only when I am home. We all rest Much Better now.