Coop.............now what?

[Sandywitch]

Hubby decided not to dig into our hard red clay to sink in the posts to build the coop. He has them standing in those concrete things (I forget what they're called). The problem now is, how do we put hardware cloth around the bottom of the coop with those concrete things sticking out on all four corners? Does anyone else have any solutions? The coop is almost completed so it's too late to start over. The run will go off one side of the coop and I was hoping to wrap hardware cloth all the way around the bottom of the coop so they'll have that cover from rain and it would be a good place to put their dust bath bin to keep it dry.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/352928/burying-apron-around-coop-and-hardware-cloth-question
Maybe this thread will help you.

 

[Kazfam]

We placed out coop on cement blocks that are trenched halfway into the ground.
Over the cement block is a pressure treated wood frame.
Coop is attached to the wood frame on top of the cement blocks.

I cropped a picture just showing the foundation:

 

[Sandywitch]

Thank you! He did figure out a way using wood our around the blocks, then stapled the hardware cloth to the wood.

 

[Belott]

Screws (1-5/8) and fender washers work better than staples. Raccoons can pull staples out. Just an FYI

David

 

[Sandywitch]

Thanks, but I don't think we'll have much problem with raccoons here in town in our fenced-in yard. I have smelled a skunk on rare occasion, but not inside the fence. I did convince hubby to use hardware cloth 6' up the run and chicken wire over the top of it. He wanted to let the side up against the wood fence unwired, but I convinced him to put hardware cloth 3' up on that side too. That should keep wondering cats out. Once we move back up into our woods, then I'll want more chickens and a bigger and more secure coop and run because I know it's overrun with raccoons, skunks, and probably fox and coyotes. Then we'll do the dig-down-and-out thing with the hardware cloth and probably use an electric wire as well. Hubby did make this first coop using all screws. He only stapled the run wire. Since they'll only be out of the coop during the day, I think they'll be safe. The longer we have them, the less he sees them as "just poultry" and the more protective he's becoming of them!

 

[The Lazy L]

Thanks, but I don't think we'll have much problem with raccoons here in town in our fenced-in yard....

I wish you luck with that. There a more coons in town then what you realize. Borrow or buy a trail cam would be a excellent way to see what's going thru your yard after dark.

 

[SixChickFlock]

Racoons... BEWARE! There are hoards of the little bandits here in the City of Chicago. They are not afraid of us and frequently come into my fenced yard to check things out. They love the continuous food supply we leave for them in garbage cans. Before I got chickens, it was a real treat to see them. I suppose it will still be a treat IF my coop and run are secure.

 

[Sandywitch]

Racoons... BEWARE! There are hoards of the little bandits here in the City of Chicago. They are not afraid of us and frequently come into my fenced yard to check things out. They love the continuous food supply we leave for them in garbage cans. Before I got chickens, it was a real treat to see them. I suppose it will still be a treat IF my coop and run are secure.

The only outside garbage can we have isn't inside the back fence. The back yard is mostly above-ground pool.