Coop/Run questions

[JessChickengirl06]

We are building our coop and run tomorrow. What hardware cloth of fencing did you use for your run? Photos would be awesome

also hardware for locks or bolts what did you use for best safety?

 

[3KillerBs]

I don't have a proper coop page yet, but this is my thread about renovating my old coop: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/renovating-the-little-monitor-roof-coop.1382615/

 

[sadierae]

My husband built this using repurposed wood. He got all of the hardware from harbor freight.

 

[Alaskan]

We are building our coop and run tomorrow. What hardware cloth of fencing did you use for your run? Photos would be awesome

also hardware for locks or bolts what did you use for best safety?

Where are you in the world (just generally, for climate advice), and what kind of predators do you want to keep out?

So, if this coop is in your backyard, and your backyard already has a good dog fence... making your chicken fence dog proof isn't as important (but probably still a good idea).

For true fort knox... you can get thick hardware cloth with 1/2 inch holes.... unless you want to keep out mice... then you need smaller holes.

Some use stronger wire fence, the kind that could easily keep out a dog, but most of those come with big holes. So then you layer that dog proof wire with tiny hole hardware cloth.

As for hardware to use... I have zero raccoons, so an easy to open twist lock is great for me.

If you have raccoons you want super difficult to open clasps.

 

[DobieLover]

Everything secured with 1/2" hardware cloth attached with poultry staples with a 2' predator apron all the way around plunked down inside a 1/3 acre pen enclosed with poultry netting powered by a 10,000 volt charger.
Door to run secured with two hasps secured with carabiner clips.
Door to coop is an old exterior house door that I lock tight with a dead bolt.

 

[Kaesi2020]

Everything secured with 1/2" hardware cloth attached with poultry staples with a 2' predator apron all the way around plunked down inside a 1/3 acre pen enclosed with poultry netting powered by a 10,000 volt charger.
Door to run secured with two hasps secured with carabiner clips.
Door to coop is an old exterior house door that I lock tight with a dead bolt.
View attachment 2222754View attachment 2222757View attachment 2222766

Hi, this may sound strange but do you have any close up pics of how you lock your different doors? Your setup sounds very secure! Have you had any predator issues with your current setup?

 

[DobieLover]

Hi, this may sound strange but do you have any close up pics of how you lock your different doors? Your setup sounds very secure! Have you had any predator issues with your current setup?

No predators have ever gotten in the coop/run.
A raccoon did get into the pen one night but never tried to gain access to the coop/run. I followed the footprints it left in the snow and found a high spot under my electric fence. The thing must have tried to get back out elsewhere and got a zap for it's trouble. It went back out the way it came in and I fixed the fence in the morning.
I'm heading out now to lock up and candle a broody's eggs so I'll snap some pictures for you and edit this post when I get back in.

The closures on the run door, one top, one bottom.

The dead bolt secured coop door.

1/2" HC secures all the windows and gable vents.

 

[Kaesi2020]

No predators have ever gotten in the coop/run.
A raccoon did get into the pen one night but never tried to gain access to the coop/run. I followed the footprints it left in the snow and found a high spot under my electric fence. The thing must have tried to get back out elsewhere and got a zap for it's trouble. It went back out the way it came in and I fixed the fence in the morning.
I'm heading out now to lock up and candle a broody's eggs so I'll snap some pictures for you and edit this post when I get back in.

Thanks! We have not installed any electric fencing yet. Predator proofing has taken a lot longer than we anticipated.
We have been very fortunate so far with no issues. We are out in a rural area though so animals are bound to pass by. I want to get a game camera set up soon as well.

 

[DobieLover]

Thanks! We have not installed any electric fencing yet. Predator proofing has taken a lot longer than we anticipated.
We have been very fortunate so far with no issues. We are out in a rural area though so animals are bound to pass by. I want to get a game camera set up soon as well.

I have a resident momma black bear that lives in the woods behind my house and has been on my property multiple times. Not since the fence went in though.
We've also seen fishers running through the woods, heard a pack of coyote, a screaming fox (that'll raise the hairs on the back of your neck) and have seen coons.
I have Wyze cameras in the coop and run.

 

[middle TN Nancy]

I have raccoons here and I know how persistent they are - I worried that if they fooled with it long enough they might be able to open the simple carabiner clips. On each door I have at least one barrel bolt and a carabiner that has the screw closure. I’m pretty sure a raccoon can’t figure those out.