Crushed Stone vs Hardware Cloth

[jblumsack]

This is my first year with my chickens, so much learning. When we installed the coop and run, we installed a hardware cloth apron all around the perimeter. This winter we have had an issue with either mice or voles. They have dug under the hardware cloth apron and into the run and they find the smallest cracks joining the coop and run and go in through there. I think I have the issue under control, but once the winter thaws, I need to rethink the protection.

First, I am going to keep a Ketch-All trap in the area. It is humane. Because it doesn't use bait, it won't attract any mice or voles to the area.

Second, I am going to re-install the hardware cloth but this time I am going to attach it to the run and then extend it out. I am not going to bury is too deep, just a couple inches. Then I am going to lay small crushed stone on top of the hardware cloth and then cover that with dirt.

What do you folks think of my plan?

Thanks!

 

[azygous]

That should work.

 

[McChooky]

Rats and mice can be difficult to keep out but they can't tunnel thru gravel.Good job!

 

[cmom]

 

[McChooky]

This is my first year with my chickens, so much learning. When we installed the coop and run, we installed a hardware cloth apron all around the perimeter. This winter we have had an issue with either mice or voles. They have dug under the hardware cloth apron and into the run and they find the smallest cracks joining the coop and run and go in through there. I think I have the issue under control, but once the winter thaws, I need to rethink the protection.

First, I am going to keep a Ketch-All trap in the area. It is humane. Because it doesn't use bait, it won't attract any mice or voles to the area.

Second, I am going to re-install the hardware cloth but this time I am going to attach it to the run and then extend it out. I am not going to bury is too deep, just a couple inches. Then I am going to lay small crushed stone on top of the hardware cloth and then cover that with dirt.

What do you folks think of my plan?

Thanks!

I haven't found any tunnels where the hardware cloth extends out 2 ft and has a raised bed built over top of it but I did find 2 tunnels where the hardware cloth only extended out a foot and didn't have anything but dirt on top of it.I've had to add large gravel to keep out the tunnelers.In my case it appeared to be a wild rat.