Burying hardward cloth

[Seaecho]

We are getting ready to put up our hardware cloth around the run. We will also have a skirt around it. Is it necessary to also bury the hardware cloth, even though there will be a skirt? We have the 2 ft. high 1/2" 19 gauge, 120 lb. weight capacity, and we are planning on running stakes through it and into the ground. But is just a few inches deep okay? (Should have gotten the 3 ft. high stuff, but wasn't thinking).The stakes will go deeper, but I'm talking about just the hardware cloth. We will be using 1 inch wire for the skirt, out 3 ft. and will cover it with a few inches of our desert sand, and put concrete blocks on the top of it. Is this sufficient protection from digging predators?

 

[pennyJo1960]

trust me buy the hardware cloth do not skimp get it from Amazon best price going

 

[Hopperkiller]

We are getting ready to put up our hardware cloth around the run. We will also have a skirt around it. Is it necessary to also bury the hardware cloth, even though there will be a skirt? We have the 2 ft. high 1/2" 19 gauge, 120 lb. weight capacity, and we are planning on running stakes through it and into the ground. But is just a few inches deep okay? (Should have gotten the 3 ft. high stuff, but wasn't thinking).The stakes will go deeper, but I'm talking about just the hardware cloth. We will be using 1 inch wire for the skirt, out 3 ft. and will cover it with a few inches of our desert sand, and put concrete blocks on the top of it. Is this sufficient protection from digging predators?

Most diggers i have seen dig at the closest point to what they are digging under. I havent seen or heard of one tunneling by backing up 3 foot to begin. By burying the hardware cloth they wouldnt know where to begin.

 

[AllenK RGV]

trust me buy the hardware cloth do not skimp get it from Amazon best price going

Me personally and I am lazy wouldn't trust desert sans and a couple inches of sand to be dig proof. Since sand isn't hard to dig into for you with a shovel I would take it down 2 feet personally. Then add a quickrete skirt on top to further dissuade them.

Please take the time to read about all of your local predators and make wise decisions to defeat them all!

 

[Seaecho]

I DO have the hardware cloth. I have the 1/2 inch and the 1x1 inch, as stated in my OP.

 

[Seaecho]

The sand is not easy to dig into with a shovel, believe me! There is shale in there too, and we had a heck of a time.

 

[rosemarythyme]

You shouldn't need to bury it, a 3' apron should easily deter diggers.

 

[aart]

Your post is a bit confusing.
You have 1/2" HC 2' high on the bottom of the run walls?
..and 1" wire going out 3' for and apron/skirt?

No you don't have to bury the apron at all,
but covering with some soil/sand is good.
Most important is that it lay flat.
Do not cover apron with concrete blocks or pavers.

Good examples of apron installation, tho I'd not recommend 1/2" HC...go with 14ga 1x2 or 1x1, will hold up much longer and is easier to lay flat.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1110498/wire-around-coop#post_17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

 

[Latestarter]

If you have weasels or mink nearby, stick with the 1/2" HWC. They can fit through a quarter sized hole and are both very good tunnelers/diggers. Otherwise, I would use the 1/2" on the perimeter sides and lay out the 1" as the apron. Covered with a bit of sand would be fine to hold it down/flat. Or of course the stakes would do that as well. Vegetation will grow up through it and once that happens, it should hold it down fine. 2' high on he sides should be fine. I would have preferred 3' though. just me.

 

[aart]

Mink and weasels can easily climb

I put HC (2' high) on the inside of larger run fencing(14ga 2x4),
just to keep tiny chicks and deep litter in the run.