Bedding in run

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black_cat

black_cat

♥♥Lover of Leghorns♥♥
May 21, 2020
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Connecticut
So, I know that I've asked similar questions before, BUT: If I were to put hardware cloth underneath the whole run, how much bedding would I need on top of it? I know that usually a hc apron will be just fine for predator protection, but other family members are being paranoid, which is good, I guess? I am planning to lay down some mulch to start off a semi deep litter run. I will have a sand/dirt dust bath for them as well. How many inches of mulch do I need to make sure that none of my girls damage their feet?
 
black_cat said:
So, I know that I've asked similar questions before, BUT: If I were to put hardware cloth underneath the whole run, how much bedding would I need on top of it? I know that usually a hc apron will be just fine for predator protection, but other family members are being paranoid, which is good, I guess? I am planning to lay down some mulch to start off a semi deep litter run. I will have a sand/dirt dust bath for them as well. How many inches of mulch do I need to make sure that none of my girls damage their feet?
Click to expand...
My chickens have dug down through the wood chips and soil about a foot in spots. So go down over a foot.
I use a predator apron. It works just fine, is a lot less expensive and a whole lot less labor intensive than excavating the entire run floor. And my birds have zero risk of injuring their feet while digging.
 
DobieLover said:
My chickens have dug down through the wood chips and soil about a foot in spots. So go down over a foot.
I use a predator apron. It works just fine, is a lot less expensive and a whole lot less labor intensive than excavating the entire run floor. And my birds have zero risk of injuring their feet while digging.
Click to expand...
Ok, over a foot. Got it, will do. I know, an 2 foot apron attached to the bottom of the run should be fine. However, other people in my house would like to do otherwise. Not sure if they want a full foot of bedding in the run tho......maybe that will change their minds? Maybe I'll compromise with them....dig a trench and bury some hardware cloth as well. I'd like to see the predator that can dig from 2 feet back and under 3 feet of hc in one night
 
black_cat said:
Ok, over a foot. Got it, will do. I know, an 2 foot apron attached to the bottom of the run should be fine. However, other people in my house would like to do otherwise. Not sure if they want a full foot of bedding in the run tho......maybe that will change their minds? Maybe I'll compromise with them....dig a trench and bury some hardware cloth as well. I'd like to see the predator that can dig from 2 feet back and under 3 feet of hc in one night
Click to expand...

That's always what I keep in mind, if its 18 hour predator proof we should be good.....we are constantly checking on them and if we are gone we have cameras that we frequently check in on plus both of our neighbors are inlaws that check up if we are gone so if something is amiss we will know before they break through.
 
CatsandCrops said:
I was going to suggest digging a trench and burying the hardware cloth. We rented a trench digger for like $40 from Home Depot and had the entire thing dug in about an hour. We buried ours 18 inches deep
Click to expand...
I think I'll end up doing that, so that my chickens have safe feet and we have peace of mind. I'd probably dig the trench myself, but hey, anything for chickens
 

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