Digging out a run

[EmmaDonovan]

Would a treadle feeder work or are they too heavy to keep out with that?

Rock squirrels are one of the largest ground squirrels, they weigh up to 2 pounds (.9 kg). We've trapped some very large males.

A treadle is an interesting idea and I've given it some thought but I don't think it would work. A rock squirrel easily weighs enough to open one, plus most treadles are metal which is a big no-no in the desert. It would cook the feed inside it and even in the shade the metal would be too hot for the hens to touch. Wooden treadles can be chewed into by squirrels and pack rats.

We don't use metal in our run except for the fencing and chains used to hang stuff from. Nest boxes, feeders, waterers, toys and tubs are plastic; perches and platforms are wood. The one exception is a heated metal waterer that we only use when it's cold enough for water to ice over.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

Its just as easy to raise the soil level as to dig deep.Same difference and it'll stay dry.Your hardware cloth might last longer. 16 gauge 1/2" galvanized steel will last the longest.Higher gauge or 1/4" is weaker

We found that out the hard way. When we first moved here we used 23 gauge 1/4" hardware cloth in the exterior house vents to keep critters out, and something, likely pack rats, immediately chewed right through it.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

We found that out the hard way. When we first moved here we used 23 gauge 1/4" hardware cloth in the exterior house vents to keep critters out, and something, likely pack rats, immediately chewed right through it.

Yeah, I also thought that 1/4” would be more effective than 1/2”.

I quickly learned how wrong I was! Gauge (of the wire) rules!! Everything else, including size of the individual squares, as in 1/2 vs 1/4, is secondary.

When looking at wire gauge, lower numbers (like 14) are better than higher (like 23.) (Better meaning stronger.) This hurts my brain, but once you understand how gauge works, it makes sense.

 

[McChooky]

We found that out the hard way. When we first moved here we used 23 gauge 1/4" hardware cloth in the exterior house vents to keep critters out, and something, likely pack rats, immediately chewed right through it.

After a bad flood in February I saw a rat looking for shelter on camera. I put some bait in the walls in case any got in