Alternative Below-Ground Predator Protection Options for Run

[sadie748]

We have a small coop (4x4) and a small run (4x6). The run has hardware cloth on top and all sides. Chickens are locked in coop at night. The run is near a tree that has an extensive root system so we wondered about below-ground options for protection against predators who might access the run by digging. Is our best option to dig around the run as best we can and install more hardware cloth? Or could we drive stakes into the ground all around the run as an alternative? Any other thoughts? Thank you in advance!

 

[middle TN Nancy]

"Is our best option to dig around the run as best we can and install more hardware cloth?"

I live in a rural area with woods and a creek on my property so I have raccoons, possums, skunks, bobcats, coyotes, probably mink, and who knows what else. I dug a trench all around my coop about 18"-24" deep and wide and in the trench I buried 1/2" hardware cloth attached with screws and fender washers all along the bottom landscape timber of the run. It was a pain in the neck but I'm not worried about the security of the run this way. This might not be possible with all the tree roots you have, but maybe you could manage it in some places. Other people have simply securely attached the hardware cloth to the bottom timber or lumber and made an 18"-24" skirt that lays out flat on the ground. Then they just let grass grow up through the hardware cloth, or they cover it with rocks. Either way it deters digging under the walls of the run. Maybe you can dig and bury where you can, and skirt in the areas where the tree prevent a good trench. Just make sure there are no gaps. I don't think that driving stakes would do much toward protection. In the picture you can see a creek gravel perimeter around my coop and run, but that was just because the ground settled a little over the trench and I added the gravel to bring it up to ground level - creek gravel is a lot easier to shovel and spread than dirt LOL - but it ended up looking nice.

 

[rosemarythyme]

An apron that lies flat on the ground around perimeter of run would be your best bet, rather than try to dig around roots. Pinning it down with landscape staples could be tricky in spots but just pin down the best you can between or around surface roots.