Critter Question

[Poultry Home Companion]

Hello everyone! I'm new to these forums, and have a question about keeping predators at bay. After a massacre at the hands of a racoon earlier this spring, we've decided to get serious and build a proper coop and run (10'x18') for our flock. Since I'm not excited about the aesthetics of a wire mesh apron in my lawn, I've decided to pour a 5" concrete curb around the perimeter of the structure to keep out tunneling beasts. Now I'm just not sure how deep to go with it. With all the prison escape movies I've seen, I'm considering pouring to six-feet deep, but my wife thinks that might be a little excessive.
Any counsel on this topic, please?

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Maybe 18"? Will it function as a building foundation too? Dual purpose is good! Keeping varmits out is so important, and can be an ongoing struggle. So sorry about your first flock; It happened to me too, because of my ignorance and wishful thinking. All the best with your project. Pictures? Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Build big! If I was starting from scratch, it would be a Woods coop. Mary

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!

A mesh apron can be invisible, especially if ground if fairly flat and you have good turf growing there.
Either peel the sod back and put apron 1-3 inches down.
Or mow the area to 'scalp' height, pin the apron down with landscape staples, and the grass will grow right up thru making the mesh invisible and you can mow right over it at normal height.
Good examples, tho I'd not recommend 1/2" HC...go with 14ga 1x2 or 1x1, will hold up much longer and is easier to lay flat.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1110498/wire-around-coop#post_17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

But if you insist on concrete, I'd go 18" deep.

Kudos on the 10 x 18'....that'll be nice!!

 

[Poultry Home Companion]

Build big! If I was starting from scratch, it would be a Woods coop. Mary

Thanks for the valuable feedback, Mary! Since losing 5/8 of our chicks this year, we doubled down and bought ten more out of sheer emotion. So, our beginner's kit coop is overwhelmed with our giant flock. And did I mention that we also bought two ducklings this spring? Anyway, we're bursting at the seams.

So, what's a Woods coop?

 

[Folly's place]

There are some pictures on this site, but I have trouble navigating the search feature. You could just google it too. Basically, it's a modified three sided structure with great ventilation and space. Maybe someone else will help, especially if you ask directly about them. Mary

 

[Folly's place]

JackE has photos here somewhere. Mary

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

Welcome to BYC! We are eggstatic to have you!

I would suggest maybe 18-24''. Or, you could just build a coop that is raised off the ground a foot or so. A super dedicated animal could still chew through the wood, but that isn't likely.

 

[Poultry Home Companion]

Welcome to BYC!

A mesh apron can be invisible, especially if ground if fairly flat and you have good turf growing there.
Either peel the sod back and put apron 1-3 inches down.
Or mow the area to 'scalp' height, pin the apron down with landscape staples, and the grass will grow right up thru making the mesh invisible and you can mow right over it at normal height.
Good examples, tho I'd not recommend 1/2" HC...go with 14ga 1x2 or 1x1, will hold up much longer and is easier to lay flat.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1110498/wire-around-coop#post_17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

But if you insist on concrete, I'd go 18" deep.

Kudos on the 10 x 18'....that'll be nice!!

Thanks, Chicken Juggler!
Thanks to your feedback, I'm persuaded to go only 8" deep on my curbing, in part because I want to keep things weatherproof around the perimeter (Utah winters). Then I'll go ahead and try the mesh apron and let the grass grow. Very slick idea!

 

[aart]

Thanks, Chicken Juggler!
Thanks to your feedback, I'm persuaded to go only 8" deep on my curbing, in part because I want to keep things weatherproof around the perimeter (Utah winters). Then I'll go ahead and try the mesh apron and let the grass grow. Very slick idea!

I would think in Utah you'd want to go deeper against frost heave, tho it is just a chicken coop - so no codes. But 8" may not be deep enough to deter rats and other rodents
The beauty of the apron is that the animal digs at the foot of the wall and hits the apron, moves down a bit and tries again...never thinks to back up to edge of apron and go under it.

BTW love your screen name, play on Prairie Home Companion?

There are some pictures on this site, but I have trouble navigating the search feature. You could just google it too. Basically, it's a modified three sided structure with great ventilation and space. Maybe someone else will help, especially if you ask directly about them. Mary

Here it is...just searched user JackE then his topics started:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/woods-style-house-in-the-winter.445004/