...x 6' elevated coop (maximal interior head room ~5 1/2 feet @ ridge) with 22' x 5' run (5' tall with 1/2 inch hardware cloth) with 2' horizontal apron surrounding run. Once chicks fully trained to come in with sundown, will allow them under the coop to expand range. 2/3 of coop interior has...
Oh, we are going to reinforce it! The chickies are never out unattended either! And, yes, we've got plans to put some more underneath as b well!
Thank you!
...through, with disastrous results. We lost a pullet that way through some field fencing several years ago. We also encourage people to lay an "apron" of hardware cloth on the ground around your run to a distance of 18 to 24" to prevent predators from digging under your fences. Ideally, wrap...
...security of their enclosure. Chicken wire and plastic netting is going to keep nothing from ripping in there and killing your birds. You should cover everything with 1/2" hardware cloth and make sure it's very well secured. An 18" to 24" predator apron will keep digging predators out. Good luck.
...raccoons and other predators can rip through that like tissue paper. Build your run with 1/2" hardware clot (hwc). Also use hwc to build an "apron" on the ground around the outside of your run so critters can't dig under and get in. Anchor it down with steel staples or put gravel over it...
...door -
Reformed Acres -
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1592070244/chicken-tractor-plans-8x10-moveable
Cotton River Farm - CP Hoop w/ pred apron -
On most, the tarps originally used can be updated to the various metal or "plastic" sheets that can add longer life.
For framing the...
Oh wow ok very interesting. How do you know when it's time to clean the run instead of adding more material?
For the wire mesh in the run: we installed it to protect from predators BUT we're just realizing now that the chickens will get their nails caught and so we're going to course correct and...
...you!!!
Yes there's wire at the bottom right now, we did that as to protect the hens from predators but we're realizing now that it's not a great idea, their nails will get stuck. We need to cut that and make an apron at the base of the run. Thank you for being so encouraging, it really means...
...that the run has wire mesh on the floor. Hope it's not too late, but I'd recommend removing that OR even flipping it outward to form an apron to deter digging pests because chickens love to dig and you're risking injury to toes and footpads with wire. While you're at it I'd also remove the...
This. ⬆️ Sometimes roosters have their favorites and some hens are plain out good at avoiding the boys! You might get saddles for the gals that are looking rough. Over mating can be rough in the hens health and if pin feathers are coming in, it can cause pain.
...- birds having run $500. The things we are passionate about, right? Lol
We ran 1/4" 19 gauge vinyl coated wire, and extended it 2' down for an apron (still need to run the apron around the solid walls of run). A mouse couldn't get into this run. We have black and yellow kingsnakes and I...
...think this is a loss. I agree that posts in the center will help stabilize it, and once the hardware cloth is either buried or made into an apron, it will hold better. I have something similar, and I used spiral tent stakes to hold the apron, as well.
I think the sides of the door frame...
The 1/4" is like screen. Any serious predator is going to be able to dig right through it. Kick it up to the 1/2" or use the 2x4 welded wire. But bear in mind, if you use the welded wire instead of the 1/2", rats and mice can dig in.
I have 1/4 cloth i was going to go 18in up the sides and try to bury/apron and secure the other 18inch to the ground. Being its 3ft cloth. I have 1/2 cloth i was going to secure to the entire inside of the run with. On top of the 2x4 mesh as well around the bottom edge. And I have a plan for...
...doesn't flop over like that. 1/4" is very weak. I would only use 1/2" for your work.
As @BigBlueHen53 mentioned, you only need an 18 to 24 inch apron on the outside. And you don't need to bury anything. Just secure the cloth very well to the base of the run and the outside edge of the ground...
The 18" apron hwc on the outside should be sufficient to prevent diggers, cover it with gravel, you don't need it inside the run. You can let the chickens enjoy the run when you are not there provided you have hwc going up the sides to at least 3' up, so raccoons cannot reach through and grab a...