Hi everyone! I should start off saying I rent my home which is in an urban area. I converted an existing shed, which currently houses my 10 hens and 4 chicks I plan on having a total of 12. I have a small run on my coop that I put on in December as I was working a lot and would not be back in time to let my girls in. They are usually free range in my yard unless no one will be back to let them in which isn't often. When I built the run it was December so the ground was frozen so I wasn't able to dig down to put wire etc also I had not yet discovered this site and I wrapped it in 1" chicken wire. The wire was expensive but I have a ton left would it be strong enough to survive the night ( I will be checking the condition of the wire often) in the case of a racoon/ fox attack if I also wrapped the inside? I would like to keep the chicken door open at night. Also should I dig around and put wire? Could I use patio stones in my small run? Any cost effective way to make sure my girls are safe and secure. I am getting worried with the nice weather quickly approaching. Here are a few pictures. Thanks for the help.
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Its recommended to at least put that 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch hardward cloth around the bottom of your run up about 3 ft high. I put my hardward cloth over a chainlink dog kennel, then covered the top with that galvanized 1X2 fencing to keep the hawks and other predators out. I also made a skirt of the 1X2 fencing which I just laid on top of the ground all the way around the edge of the run. It extends out about 24 inches. I put cinder blocks on the corners until the grass starts holding the wire down. I think some people even use those tent stakes to hold the edges down. Hope that helps. Good luck
