Bottom of a run

[jaretc]

We're making the run to our chicken coop and were wondering if we should have a chicken wire bottom or no bottom and bury the run a foot or so in the ground... are they both equally affective or is one better then the other???

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

If they have to walk on fencing it is hard on their feet. I would only recommend 1/2 inch hardware cloth, not chicken wire, for predator resistance. Raccoons can tear through chicken wire like it isn't even there. Rats and weasels can enter anything except 1/2 inch hardware cloth.

You can bury the hardware cloth down a foot or so, or apron it out:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/pawspluss-chicken-coop
here is one example

In addition, raccoons can climb, so if you aren't doing the whole top also it isn't predator proof.

I personally have very large garden runs, and go with just welded wire fencing everywhere. Then they get closed up in my two shed coops at night. All windows must be lined with 1/2 inch hardware cloth, not chicken wire.

 

[jaretc]

ok thanks