Are the small animals a digginig threat? Is a two inch soil interval between the bottom wood sill of the coop and run and the top of the buried chain link a concern? Will a coyote or fox dig under and thru a 2 inch opening? Trying to get some perspective on what I have read about predators. I have 4 chickens in a modified purina coop with 10 foot attached run. Hardware coth on all sides and 1x1 inch welded wire on run roof. Prior to building I buried galvanized chain link fence fabric in an 18 inch wide border surrounding the perimter of the coop and run. 12 inches outside and 6 inches inside the coop/run. Its about 2 inches below the surface but not attached to the coop/run. I recognize that chicken stratching could expose the inner fence fabric perimeter. As I see it aerial predators will not be a problem. I don't imagine racoon, skunk, possum and cat are a major digging concern. Therefore fox and coyote are more likely to dig under the fence. We are on a ridge in residential suburbia but our backyard borders a corn/soyfield and orchard that slopes to the south toward a stream. A mile south is a large commercial egg facility. We hear fox and coyote yips and howls on the farm down the hill from us. Our yard is surrounded by a 4 foot chainlink fence which has stopped the deer from passing thru. We have two dogs that have the run of the yard and mark territory and have kept the groundhogs out. I run an uncovered hot compost pile and kitchen scraps (including the things they say not to compost in a cold pile like meat etc) are gone in a few days and have never had a skunk, racoon etc problem with it even when the yard was not fenced. Just looking for some input or personal experience to similar situations. i recognize that alot depends on how hungry the predator is, timeof year and availability of other food. Thanks.
my grandparents would mix concreteor plaster of Paris with broken glass and fill it into holes dug by predators to discourage digging(works also great on mice and rat holes)on the side that is easily acsessed by chickens you can add a small layer or concrete/POP without glass to keep their feet safe.
I've heard a weasle can get through a 1.5" opening...think hot dog. Don't know if you have any. We do, but they haven't bothered the chickens who were in a 2"X2" mesh fenced pen last year. (This year we have HW cloth.) Cheers, N. VA
get some rebar or metal spikes and drive them in the ground every few inches. no predator is welcome. can never be over prepared.
Thanks for all the replies and experience. I considered weasels but have never seen one in all my decades afield. Checked a hunter trapper forum for PA sportsman and few if any trappers catch them routinely these days. As for the rebar, how far apart and how deep would you suggest? Look for some pics in another posting.
Instead of using fence wire like you did, I used concrete for my coop. Right after I got my run frame up I dug a 6 inch wide X 18 inch deep trench all the way around it, ran my chicken wire around that, and then cemented it all in. I know people here say chicken wire is the devil, but I have not had any problems. My wire is well supported at the seams too.
