Alternative to burying wire

[southernbellenc]

Hi all as you can see my "soon to be" coop arrived today. As we modify the shed outside and in and create the run I wanted to see if there are options other than digging and putting the wire 12 inches deep.
We have multiple projects now including renovating our farmhouse and getting ready for spring planting. What if we attached the wire to the shed and then extended it and put pavers on top?
If anyone has pictures of what they did to predator proof would love to see them.

 

[PapaChaz]

buy the 18 or 24" poultry cloth, lay flat on the ground around the perimeter and stake it down with landscape cloth staples. Pavers on top or a flowerbed on top to hide it. Anything that tries to dig under will hit that and eventually give up. This is about the only thing I'd use poultry cloth for as a permanent installation

 

[PapaChaz]

oh yeah, great looking shed soon to be coop! pics as you go along please!

 

[TheEggCollecter]

buy the 18 or 24" poultry cloth, lay flat on the ground around the perimeter and stake it down with landscape cloth staples. Pavers on top or a flowerbed on top to hide it. Anything that tries to dig under will hit that and eventually give up. This is about the only thing I'd use poultry cloth for as a permanent installation

x2

 

[southernbellenc]

Thanks so much! Once we paint the shed/ coop barn red and add some windows we will be on our way.

 

[yellowchicks]

Lay the hardware cloth on the ground and tie it to the frame of the run, then put bedding on top. We did it that way because there was too many tree roots to dig up. It works really well so far for deep litter method, now that there is at least 4" thick of bedding material on top. Chickens have no problem scratching for bugs or treats.

 

[chickmommarains]

Lay the hardware cloth on the ground and tie it to the frame of the run, then put bedding on top. We did it that way because there was too many tree roots to dig up. It works really well so far for deep litter method, now that there is at least 4" thick of bedding material on top. Chickens have no problem scratching for bugs or treats.

I have just done this with stucco wire and was a little worried about the chicks digging down to it. I am glad to hear it has worked for you. Thank you.

 

[Blooie]

We used hardware cloth and ran it up the sides of our run about 2 feet high, then folded it outward at the bottom for an apron going out another 2 feet. We staked it down with landscape fabric staples and were going to put rock over it but the grass grew up through it so well that Ken can mow right up to the edge of the run. This works for us - in hindsight putting rocks down would have given small predators and pests all kinds of hiding places right at the edge of where we don't want them. With the grass cut short right up to the run that's not an issue. It worked well against our first predator, our English Setter Molly. She got so excited when the chickens were in the run for the first time that she paced the perimeter of the run and then decided to dig under to go play with her chickens. She broke a toenail and bloodied her paw. She walked away from the run, looking over her shoulder and shooting the chickens a dirty look as if they had hurt her. She never bothered them again, even when they are out free ranging.

 

[Mini Meat]

We used hardware cloth and ran it up the sides of our run about 2 feet high, then folded it outward at the bottom for an apron going out another 2 feet. We staked it down with landscape fabric staples and were going to put rock over it but the grass grew up through it so well that Ken can mow right up to the edge of the run. This works for us - in hindsight putting rocks down would have given small predators and pests all kinds of hiding places right at the edge of where we don't want them. With the grass cut short right up to the run that's not an issue. It worked well against our first predator, our English Setter Molly. She got so excited when the chickens were in the run for the first time that she paced the perimeter of the run and then decided to dig under to go play with her chickens. She broke a toenail and bloodied her paw. She walked away from the run, looking over her shoulder and shooting the chickens a dirty look as if they had hurt her. She never bothered them again, even when they are out free ranging.

I love it when animals get a lesson from an "unseen hand". A good smiting always seems to stick.

 

[aart]

Quote: I would worry about buried wire like that, especially stucco lath which is very rough and sharp.
Eventually the mesh will rust and start to break up...my birds can dig a hole 8" deep.....