Complete newbie - building our coop now need info on BEST fencing

[Erin~TheChickenLover]

Your coop is looking great!

I have no idea if the Night Guard things work, might be worth a try, though.

 

[SunnyAlberta]

OP, your homemade coop looks terrific!

 

[dkl38]

Thanks! So I switched the title of my thread as I feel pretty good about the coop (thanks everyone for your comments) but I am concerned about supplies for the run. From reading the long thread "Tell How Predators Got Your Chickens. Save Somebody Else From The Bad Experience" I gather I need to use 1/2" X 1/2 hardware cloth, bury it 2 feet deep, and seal with concrete or gravel? I had all intentions of free ranging during the day but not sure I should do that now. I have all types of predators, owls, hawks, racoons, coyotes, foxes, and fishers...not to mention to house dogs who I have no idea how they will react to my new chickens!

So is hardware cloth over chain-link fence overkill for the run or will hardware clothe be enough? Plus I use hardware clothe over the windows in the coop as well plus several door locks for clever racoons?

 

[Wrigley62]

I would never say anything is overkill, I don't want to be responsible for something bad happening.
We both live in New England, we have the same predators. Most are night time shoppers. The ones I worry about are Hawks, Foxes, Coyote and a few dogs that some of idiots up the road let run "free".
For Hawks and other flying predators , I put heavy fishing line over my run, that keeps them away. As for the four legged daytime pests, I'm always checking in on them, either through the windows or we're out there sitting with them. I'm lucky, my wife has fallen in love with all the chickens, so she is out there more than I am. Plus, I keep my .22 right by the front door. I have no problem shooting something to protect my girls that I raised from chicks, have taken care of everyday of their lives 24 hours a day and that I think of as "pets" (I had no intention of that happening, it just happened).

My girls are out "free-ranging" everyday, pretty much all day (when someone is home). At night, they go in their coop where they are as safe as can be. I know nothing is totally predator proof, but I feel my coop is as safe as it can be.Unless they have thumbs and can stand five feet they're not getting in. My run is daytime predator proof, that's it. I wouldn't leave them in there overnight. And I use the "skirt" around my run.

You have to accept the fact that "It" can happen. Don't make yourself nuts. So long as you've given them the best you can offer, that's all you can do.

Good luck, keep us posted.

 

[dkl38]

I think you are right when we live so close to predators or in my case I live with the predators! Everyday I see hawks, foxes and coyotes and they get close up and personal with my barn (we have horses), and even playing with my dogs! I ran screaming bloody murder at that sight with my pitchfork. Yes, I am going to daytime protect the daytime run as well but plan to have them go in the coop at night of course.

Question are bee bee guns any good for protection?

As for location of the coop I was going to put it behind my barn but I would not be able to hear anything at night if there was danger lurking so thinking of putting much closer now.

 

[Erin~TheChickenLover]

I think you are right when we live so close to predators or in my case I live with the predators! Everyday I see hawks, foxes and coyotes and they get close up and personal with my barn (we have horses), and even playing with my dogs! I ran screaming bloody murder at that sight with my pitchfork. Yes, I am going to daytime protect the daytime run as well but plan to have them go in the coop at night of course.

Question are bee bee guns any good for protection?

As for location of the coop I was going to put it behind my barn but I would not be able to hear anything at night if there was danger lurking so thinking of putting much closer now.

Bee bee guns are no good. Personally, I keep a 22 near the door at all times. I will shoot anything that tries to hurt my chickens. Even my neighbor's dogs. A person's dogs are pets on their own property. On another property, they are predators and I treat them just so.

 

[dkl38]

Bummer on the bee bee gun but always wanted to learn how to shoot a gun so maybe my chance

! What I have read on those solar eyes sound pretty good and may be worth the 100.00 to get 4 plus I just a 250.00 rebate back from my insurance company so heck why not. That and the hardware cloth on the pen, under the ground and on the ventilation windows. I have wide open space so not sure how to protect them from sky level....hawks and owls oh my! Sorry afternoon coffee has kicked in....

 

[dkl38]

Ok, I lied I do have another coop design question. In regard to cold NE winters will plywood on the floor, 2x3 pine for frame, shingles of course on roof, and T 1-11 be sufficient OR should it be a layer of plywood all around and then the T 1-11 on top of the plywood?

Plus I have a recycled nice picture frame window that I thought would be nice for the flock to sit in on those cold winter days or will they not get any use out of it? I will get some pics and see what you think.

 

[dkl38]

Pictures! Large window; do you think too big and awkward?

 

[3forfree]

If those 2 dogs are yours you shouldn't have to worry about predators. Let them roam the property at night, and sleep well.As for the window, I think it's too much.The coop is looking good.