Building a run on granite

[kateseidel]

After two weeks in the coop, I have decided I was wrong, and my chickens (destinated to be free range) do need an attached run also. They will not be big enough to head to the big outdoors for a few more weeks, and they are going stir crazy cooped up all the time (despite the roomy 8x12 coop). So, against our better judgment, we decided we could build the run ourselves, attaching a simple 9x12 structure to the side of the coop. Well....not so much.

This part of the property sits on a solid slap of granite, with only about 3-4 inches of dirt on top. Our 9" auger won't touch this stuff, so we switched to building the supports above ground using cement foundation blocks. I have been racking my brain trying to figure out how to predator proof the bottom - can't bury wire, can't sink spikes, not really wanting to do the entire bottom in wire. It finally has dawned on me that if I can't drill into the ground with an auger, how likely is it the average predator could dig underneath?

Remains to be seen if the marriage will survive this little building project, which looks like something from the Little Shop of Horrors. Fortunately, I think the hens won't mind...

 

[BankerJohn]

I like the thought process around your not able to dig down, therefore what could dig in? !

 

[babyblue]

I would scrape off the 3-4 inches of soil and build the frame of the run directly on top. if a good auger cant even touch it then most preds cant either. I say most because I dont know if you live in bear country or anything lol.

 

[patandchickens]

The bigger problem is preventing predators from being able to wedge themselves in and lift the whole run UP so they can sneak under it; and keeping the wind from blowing it over, as it will not be particularly anchored. (Don't count on those foundation blocks to provide much ballast vs wind).

W/r/t the predator part of the equation, a 2' wide apron would do just fine, since it'd prevent them from nosing under and prying up.

W/r/t the windproofing issue, either build the run very square and extra well-braced and hope for the best, or actually drill an angled hole down into the rock in a coupla places and masonry-anchor or cement a stout metal anchor into the rock that you bolt the run frame to.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[illegal avian]

Home Depot and Lowe's (which means all similar stores) have this really solid looking heavy duty metal mesh that comes in 4' by 8' panels and is fairly inexpensive. It is made to be buried under a concrete pour. Anyway, this stuff is way stronger and more durable than any chicken wire or hardware cloth. It's about 1/4 inch thick and has a very tight and rigid pattern. They also sell it cut in 2' wide strips for a perimeter fix or you could floor the entire bottom of the run and bury the entire panels under sand, deep litter, whatever. Chicken litter is pretty corrosive so the extra durability of this stuff caught my attention. Nailed to the sides and nothing is coming through this stuff. And I mean nothing. Quite frankly, I am surprised I had not previously read about using these as a suggestion.

 

[Lesa]

We have a really cool tool- I am sorry I don't know what it is called... but, it works like a gun and actually shoots a nail into concrete. It works great and it is cheap- I think it was around 30 bucks at Home Depot. No pre-drilling, comes with "bullets". I think it could be useful in tying down your run. Good luck!

 

[kateseidel]

Well - if bears want my chickens, they can have them!! I have never seen anything but possums, and several neighbors have free range flocks, so I am hoping mine won't be the only hen buffet...