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

 

[EmmaDonovan]

This is probably a stupid question, but why can't you just hire a bunch of strong men to do this kind of work for cash? We live not that far from a university. When I was an undergrad it was very common for students to do all kinds of odd and one-off jobs for cash. In fact, there was an office on campus specifically for that: people in the community called in the work, a secretary took the calls, wrote the jobs up on 3x5 cards, and pinned them to a bulletin board (no internet back then). Students checked the board, selected a job, called the number and went to work. I did lots of jobs from that bulletin board, from child care to ranch work to fashion shows.

Am I stuck in the past or something? Students today don't seem to need pocket money or they don't want to do those kinds of jobs, I guess. So no burley guys are out of work or anything?

 

[llcardinale]

Need to dig out about 16 cubic yards of dirt and then put it back. I am not a construction person so I'm not sure how best to do this. It's level ground, no landscaping, no plants/rocks/gravel, just desert dirt, and no objects to dig around. It's not compacted as I can dig down at least a foot with a shovel fairly easily but it's too big a job for a shovel. Do I... rent a mini excavator? Hire someone (who)? I will call the city before digging. What else do I need to know?

 

[llcardinale]

Need to dig out about 16 cubic yards of dirt and then put it back. I am not a construction person so I'm not sure how best to do this. It's level ground, no landscaping, no plants/rocks/gravel, just desert dirt, and no objects to dig around. It's not compacted as I can dig down at least a foot with a shovel fairly easily but it's too big a job for a shovel. Do I... rent a mini excavator? Hire someone (who)? I will call the city before digging. What else do I need to know?

Hi Emma,
So, I don't know if I missed something, but if the reason you're wanting to do this is to provide predator protection, Premier 1 Supplies sells an 18" deep animal barrier surround (what looks like a big fork) that goes around the perimeter of your run, pounded into the ground. My run is 24x9 and that's what I used. I made about a 10" apron of HC, which encloses the entire run, and placed the barrier panels through it, pounding the panels through the HC. It might be a bit expensive for a larger run, but for that size I think it's worth it. Here's the link: https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/...p™+Animal+Barrier+Fence&species_id=0&cat_id=0

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

Honestly, this generation is a bit harder to find good workers in with technology and prices being sky high. Most students are money-driven but want/need to nitpick the pay, and would take an easier job over labor if it pays the same. I don't blame them since I do odd jobs but they pay very well and they work with my schedule.

You're right, there might be a way to advertise jobs to a school bulletin board, and with getting hired right now being difficult, there should be students in the need for some cash. If you find a way, tell them to bring their own shovels!

This is probably a stupid question, but why can't you just hire a bunch of strong men to do this kind of work for cash? We live not that far from a university. When I was an undergrad it was very common for students to do all kinds of odd and one-off jobs for cash. In fact, there was an office on campus specifically for that: people in the community called in the work, a secretary took the calls, wrote the jobs up on 3x5 cards, and pinned them to a bulletin board (no internet back then). Students checked the board, selected a job, called the number and went to work. I did lots of jobs from that bulletin board, from child care to ranch work to fashion shows.

Am I stuck in the past or something? Students today don't seem to need pocket money or they don't want to do those kinds of jobs, I guess. So no burley guys are out of work or anything?

 

[EmmaDonovan]

Hi Emma,
So, I don't know if I missed something, but if the reason you're wanting to do this is to provide predator protection, Premier 1 Supplies sells an 18" deep animal barrier surround (what looks like a big fork) that goes around the perimeter of your run, pounded into the ground. My run is 24x9 and that's what I used. I made about a 10" apron of HC, which encloses the entire run, and placed the barrier panels through it, pounding the panels through the HC. It might be a bit expensive for a larger run, but for that size I think it's worth it. Here's the link: https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/digstop-animal-barrier-fence?criteria=DigStop™+Animal+Barrier+Fence&species_id=0&cat_id=0

That looks awesome but unfortunately rock squirrels tunnel down much deeper than 18".