I live in Reno, NV and am having predator problems too. I'm just so sad and frustrated. Probably a raccoon got one adult, then three babies. Pulled them right through the wire. Yesterday I watched a cooper's hawk fly right through the yard. I don't want to give up on letting them free range, though. It's so fun to watch them work.
Hardware cloth is your friend. Anywhere a chicken can come close to chainlink or dog kennel panels shoudl be lined with Hardware cloth.I happen to have 300 linear feet of Aviary panels left over from when I raised finches. Those are going on any outward walls. they are 12 gauge wire with .5 x 3 inch square openings. Anything that goes through will be edible.
Looks like you have put some good thought into this. The more owner friendly it can be built the better. A lot of convenience and efficiency is important in the design process.
That's what I like to see, someone else who draws everything out. I will make 15 plans for one build. Looks like it will be easy to add on to or change layout if you need later on.
LOL thanks I am filling a notebook of grid paper right now with concepts. But when it comes down to the actual build You have to follow your materials. Right now I am working with Aviary panels and dog kennel panels with the eventual addition of Cedar fence panels I salvaged out of a fence tear down.
Wow. And I thought we had bad predator problems. I would have no idea how to keep out mountain lions and bobcat. It would be like trying to protect them from a bear where I live.
OH bears are soo much more dangerous.... even a small one can rip open a car door if they want in. San diego area used to have them.... but they are extinct now.