Coyote and other predator proofing

[ChiknGordonBlu]

Hello all,
So we are new to the whole chicken thing, I am going to be moving the coop into a shed that I am converting with an attached run. I have a large coyote population where I am as when as all sorts of other predators, however its the coyotes that are very bold in this area. The shed itself is a 10'x12' old metal shed which I have since insulated, put new flooring and walls in. They will be locked up in the shed at night, I am not too concerned with predators getting into there as it is solid. I biggest concern is when we let the girls out for the day in the run, we will not be watching them all the time. So, that was long winded sorry. Here is what I am looking at right now, the run will be 20'x10'. I am planning on doing a 3' skirt around the whole thing going 3' out on each corner as well, the skirt is going to be a 2"x1" welded wire garden fence with then a layer of 1/4" HW cloth over it. The run will have metal sheeting on the top of it for the aerial predators. As for the side it will all have regular chicken wire as I already bought it, then over that the bottom 3' will be covered with 1/4' HW cloth(to deal with all the snakes, lots of rattlers) and then the remaining height will be covered with 1/2" HW cloth. That and also really beefing up the door to the run. So I was just trying to get anybody opinions on anything else I can do to make sure the girls are safe in their new home. Only other thing I could think of is adding an electric fence but I have kids that loves those chickens and I would prefer not to have any accidents with that. Sorry that I do not have any pictures at the moment, I will be continuing this weekend and take some then. I thank you all in advance for the advice.

 

[Darrinhuns]

It sounds like your set. I wouldn’t go anymore than that. It would take the coyotes days to get in so you would know that they are snooping around long before they even got to the birds. Something else that might help keep off the coyotes is if you have a bigger sized dog because coyotes aren’t really fans of conflict. Not to say they won’t if they aren’t hungry enough but it sounds like your set as is

 

[rosemarythyme]

Hmm, why welded wire for the apron but chicken wire for the run walls? Even with the hardware cloth over it the chicken wire seems like the weakest part of the set up.

I don't suppose you have enough material to swap where you're using the chicken wire and the welded wire in the build?

 

[ChiknGordonBlu]

Yes, the only reason I am using the chicken wire is because it is already up on the walls. I had bought and installed prior to doing enough research about predator proofing. I know it seems strange to use it underneath HW cloth, but i figured i might as well use it as its already there. I'm trying to make use of materials I have on hand to try and make this predator proof, but of course i'm sure I will have to run out and get some other things lol.

 

[ChiknGordonBlu]

It sounds like your set. I wouldn’t go anymore than that. It would take the coyotes days to get in so you would know that they are snooping around long before they even got to the birds. Something else that might help keep off the coyotes is if you have a bigger sized dog because coyotes aren’t really fans of conflict. Not to say they won’t if they aren’t hungry enough but it sounds like your set as is

Yeah, I hope that it is good enough. Only time will tell. Also planning on some game cameras, just so I can see what's out there at night. And I can see where they think they weak points are.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yes, the only reason I am using the chicken wire is because it is already up on the walls. I had bought and installed prior to doing enough research about predator proofing.

Gotcha. Well having the hardware cloth will definitely help.

Possibly if it turns out you need to augment with even more wire, you might be able to do some welded wire on just the bottom few feet since coyotes can't fly.

 

[ChiknGordonBlu]

Yeah, our coyotes out here are very bold. They have no fear of humans and will come into your yard and watch you. I have tried shooting them but they keep coming back. So I was thinking they would try to dig rather than go through the wall. I suppose now that I think about it I could switch the welded wire and chicken wire, probably would make more sense to make the wall stronger. See this is why I come here, I get my info from you all otherwise my girls would be in a world of hurt. Thank you kindly for the advice

 

[rosemarythyme]

So I was thinking they would try to dig rather than go through the wall. I suppose now that I think about it I could switch the welded wire and chicken wire, probably would make more sense to make the wall stronger.

Quite possibly they'd rather dig... is that behavior you've seen from observing them? If it is then I can understand why you'd want a really beefy apron.

Coyotes in my area would likely go straight at something. I've never seen any sign of them digging anywhere. So my apron is just hardware cloth.

 

[ChiknGordonBlu]

I haven't seen them dig yet, but i would never put anything past these coyotes out here. I guess the best option would be to make the place like Fort Knox.

 

[aart]

do some welded wire on just the bottom few feet since coyotes can't fly.

But they can stand on hind legs and chew, maybe not likely but .....

Sorry that I do not have any pictures at the moment, I will be continuing this weekend and take some then

Looking forward to seeing these.