Abutting planter boxes against run for predator protection

[kortmom]

I came up with the idea of building 12 inch wide planter boxes to run along the outside bottom of my chicken run that I can plant various chicken treats, flowers, rather than burrying 18 inches of hardware cloth. Thoughts?? Would you still bury some cloth extending out from the planters?

 

[Judy]

Hmm, it might work fine. I can't quite see something digging under that far. Haven't heard of anyone doing that. You might start a revolution!

 

[boxofpens]

We're building raised beds along our run as well. Ours are 12" tall and about 3' wide. It's prob overkill, but we also have a skirt that goes under them.

 

[MamaJoJo]

ooooo! Genius! I think I might try this for my kale and other wintering veggies! maybe use railroad ties next to the fence... Would that be deep enough to keep burrowers from digging under it?

 

[hencrazy]

I did this around the entire run and it works perfectly and frees up a lot of space in the garden. Also convenient for feeding treats to the girls.

 

[MamaJoJo]

this was a great idea! I have my regular garden planted but my husband and I wanted to try raised beds because of a book we bought and we had discussed where to put it that it wouldn't be right snack in the middle of the yard but also not beat to death by run off from our roof. we also wanted the raised bed to hold our winter veggies and kale is one of my roosters favorite dishes. Its great when you run across an idea that solve so many things all at once.

 

[nellynelly]

as much as i hate them, i have been using agapanthus around the run. the roots are so tight, i dont think anything could dig under them.

 

[Jo Anne]

great idea, i am making a chicken tractor, did you say you would still need to use some kinda of hardware underneath the boxes?
I may try this with mobile boxes as well

 

[Really88]

Here's mine with hardware cloth under the pavers (2 feet) of them boxed in by the planters this will be fenced and a vegetable garden with the tunnels in the rows for the birds to work the weeds and bugs

 

[annewandering]

Are you saying this would be safe from predators without a floor or wire under the coup?