Burying the run

[09northernchick]

The land where the run will sit is a bit sloped and unlevel. I am planning on filling the entire thing in with sand, or at least most of it with sand.

Dh thinks we should add gravel to it to level it first so that water won't sit in puddles. The sand would go on top of that.

Also, instead of digging a trench in the existing mud and burying the sides of the run, he think we should build the run, leaving extended hardware cloth and then laying several inches of gravel on top of that. I think the racoons etc. can dig much easier through the gravel.

Please help a couple of newbies out. I promise to nicely tell him if his ideas are not the best

 

[patandchickens]

It might be useful to regrade a bit (like with a shovel) so that any low spots have shallow swales leading away from them, so water doesn't pool in the run.

As far as digproofing, I'm much more a fan of a well built sturdy horizontal apron than of burying the wire -- you really have to dig down at least 18" to have reasonable security vs dogs/foxes, and the buried wire WILL rust (yes, even galvanized) but you won't know because you can't see it. An apron is less work and more easily inspected and repaired. Just make sure it's a heavy gauge of wire and well pinned down, preferably with the edge concealed. There are various ways to pin/weight ti down and conceal it, see other threads on the subject for ideas.

Good lcuk,have fun,

Pat

 

[09northernchick]

Thanks for responding. I'm not sure what you mean by an apron though? What is it made from? Any where you can link me to see what you are talking about? I'm very visual

 

[patandchickens]

Done right you can't see it

It's just a length of fencing (I prefer heavy gauge 2x4" wire mesh) laid on the ground just outside the fence, attached to the bottom of the fence so there's no gap, and you either pin/weight it down real well (tentpegs, big pavers, concrete rubble, whatever) or peel back the turf and lay it just underneath. Or some people just pin it down on the lawn real well and let the grass grow up and sort of consume it -- but you'd wanna be reeeaal careful with lawnmowers or bare feet if you do that.

The point is that digging critters virtually always want to dig at the base of the run fence; if there is a wire mesh 'floor' there (the apron) they do not generally think of backing up a few feet and trying to tunnel over from further away. (Exception: a few very-experienced professional foxes). Since it doesn't require real digging, it's easier to do than burial, and also easier to inspect or repair if ever needed.

If you do a search on 'apron' or 'skirt' in the coop construction section of BYC you will find a buncha other threads with more discussion of the subject.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[jprinc44]

having learned from experience and being advised by a few other professional poultry-keepers, when I built my guinea pen, I laid a 4' section of chain link on the ground before constructing the fence frame on top of it. 2' inside the frame, 2' outside the frame. Pegged it down with tent pegs on the outside to keep in place, away from the lawnmower, tripping feet, etc. Once the wire fence was up, I used mechanics' wire to attach the two together at the bottom so no gaps were possible. Unfortunately, my chicken run is only done with 4' chain link, {inexperience when constructing} but have never had an issue with anthing trying to dig under, only with them flying over. If I had it to do over, I would build that one along the same lines as the guinea pen. HTH, Janet.