Are there daytime digging predators?

[Emma Miriam]

Hi! I'm sorry if this question has been answered somewhere, but I couldn't find it and thought you all might be able to help.

I live in a suburban area, and have three chicks. My coop is fully predator-proof, and I have an automatic door, so the hens will be shut inside the coop every night. Because of local laws, I cannot free range and so built a roofed run for them (50-55 sq. ft.) with 1/2 inch hardware cloth on all sides. I have not bothered with a hardware cloth apron, as it would be a pain and an expense.

So here's my question. My run is strictly for daytime use. Have you had predators dig under a run during the day, or is digging really only a nighttime concern? I know that many people use electric fencing for the daytime, and that effectively wards off predators...so I'm wondering if an apron is necessary for a daytime run. I don't want to take any chances with my three girls, but at the same time, I would like to save time and money where possible. Do you think I should add an apron?

Advice would be appreciated! Thanks so much.

 

[enola]

Around here daytime predators that would dig include roaming dogs, foxes and coyotes.
A properly installed apron should not be a problem.

 

[Emma Miriam]

Thanks so much. Does anyone have any smaller daytime digging predators? If dogs are the main problem, perhaps I could get away with 2x4 welded wire rather than hardware cloth...

Any other opinions?

 

[aart]

Thanks so much. Does anyone have any smaller daytime digging predators? If dogs are the main problem, perhaps I could get away with 2x4 welded wire rather than hardware cloth...

Any other opinions?

Yes, 2x4 would work....for a little more cost, 1x2 would be better.
Either needs to be securely attached to bottom of run walls.

 

[Emma Miriam]

Thank you, I can get 1x2 inch mesh. How far out from the coop should it go? If I bury it straight down I've heard only 12 inches, but with an apron lying on the ground, does it need to be 18 inches? 24 inches? I think digging a trench would be tough with all the tree roots.

Also, how do you attach the mesh to the ground so predators can't lift up the end? Or is that not a concern?

I appreciate your responses!

 

[123RedBeard]

Get some 3/8" "re-bar" ... Used in concrete work ... Cut into 15"-18" lengths, or have the store cut it for you ... Bend a hook or V on one end, use it like a tent stake, and pound it into the ground ... Use different angles of them pounded into the soil, to make it harder to pull out, and the re-bar was little ridges on it, so that will make it bond with the soil better, and harder to pull out!

Bending is pretty easy ... Just put it between two solid things, and bend, you probably will not be able to bend just the end using your two hands, but put in a vise or between two 2" saplings that are close together, you should be able to bend it with one hand. Or ask the hardware store to bend them ...

 

[aart]

Thank you, I can get 1x2 inch mesh. How far out from the coop should it go? If I bury it straight down I've heard only 12 inches, but with an apron lying on the ground, does it need to be 18 inches? 24 inches? I think digging a trench would be tough with all the tree roots.

Also, how do you attach the mesh to the ground so predators can't lift up the end? Or is that not a concern?

I appreciate your responses!

Trenching is too much work and doesn't work as well as the apron IMO.
They tend to dig at the bottom of the run wall and hit an apron pretty fast and move along to try again or give up, they don't back away from wall and dig there.
12-18" ....mine vary. 12 might not be enough but 24 might be overkill.

Landscape/weed block cloth stakes can work to pin down the outer edge.....or the rebar idea above.
Depends on what is on/in the ground.
Some folks peel up the sod and put the apron under that.
Some folks cover the mesh with pavers or landscape gravel.
I just laid mine on top of the sod and it stayed down pretty well in most places, depending on how the mesh curled.
I cut my grass pretty high bit in some places the mesh stuck up where the ground wasn't as flat and got caught on the mower.
If I had to do it again, in some places I would dig down a couple inches to bury it.

 

[Emma Miriam]

Thanks so much both of you, that helps a lot. Aart, for the landscape stakes, is that similar to the "yard staples" I've seen at Home Depot?

 

[aart]

Thanks so much both of you, that helps a lot. Aart, for the landscape stakes, is that similar to the "yard staples" I've seen at Home Depot?

Probably.....the skinnier the wire on the staples the more of an angle you need to push them into the soil.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Easy-Gardener-Fabric-and-Sod-Staples-10-Pack-814/100000833

 

[chickie-doo]

Hate say it but rats are active diggers at daytime too. And they would love to eat little ckns. I agree Fox are very opportunistic,as well as raccoons, weasels, dogs,etc. I had a solar powered electric fence around one of my coops. Very simple to do but not practical if you have small kids or pets who might get zapped