Do I need to predator-proof these gaps?

[SueAndHerZoo]

I've got

ten three sides of my coop predator-proofed, just have to do the small piece on the backside near the coop, and then use lumber or rocks to make sure nothing crawls under the coop. Is there any predator that is going to get through these gaps between the support poles?

 

[StinkyAcres]

I'd call that a predator-resistant run. Not sure how much covering the larger gaps would help. Weasels can easily fit through the larger wire mesh and raccoons can at least stick their hands through.

 

[swamphiker]

Will you close the door to the coop at night?

 

[SueAndHerZoo]

I'd call that a predator-resistant run. Not sure how much covering the larger gaps would help. Weasels can easily fit through the larger wire mesh and raccoons can at least stick their hands through.

Thanks, looks like my photos covered up some of my original text. The predator-proofing I was referring to was the 36" of hardware cloth I attached along the bottom of three sides: 18" on the ground and 18" up the wall of the run. But I see your point... the spacing between the support bars is just about the same width as the rest of the run so not sure what good that would do.
Sue

 

[SueAndHerZoo]

Will you close the door to the coop at night?

I just purchased (not installed yet) a solar automatic coop door, so yes, hopefully they will all be in at night. I also have a camera focused on the run and coop so I can check from my phone or laptop if any chicks were left outside for some reason.
Sue

 

[swamphiker]

I agree with @StinkyAcres that this is a predator resistant rather than a predator proof run, but this run should be more than sufficient against typical daytime predators like hawks.

 

[SueAndHerZoo]

I'm hoping I didn't waste my time (and all the cuts, scratches, gouges and injuries I have from working with hardware cloth for the past 3 days) putting that 36" wide hardware cloth around the bottom and sides of three walls. Are you saying that predators will get in there at night anyway since the part above my hardware cloth has large gaps? My reasoning for the apron all around was to prevent digging under and into the run.
Sue

 

[StinkyAcres]

I'm hoping I didn't waste my time (and all the cuts, scratches, gouges and injuries I have from working with hardware cloth for the past 3 days) putting that 36" wide hardware cloth around the bottom and sides of three walls. Are you saying that predators will get in there at night anyway since the part above my hardware cloth has large gaps? My reasoning for the apron all around was to prevent digging under and into the run.
Sue

I don't think that was a waste of time. The apron will keep out foxes, domestic dogs, and other digging predators and pests. And it might even deter raccoons, opossums, and cats. And as @swamphiker said, no hawks are getting in there with that roof.

 

[StinkyAcres]

By the way, placing larger items like rocks or lumber on top of the apron defeats the purpose of an apron. You want the predator to dig where the apron is not around the outside of it. You'll want something diggable on top like dirt, mulch, or gravel. I think some people have even left it on top of the lawn and let the grass grow through it.

 

[WoDia]

I'm hoping I didn't waste my time (and all the cuts, scratches, gouges and injuries I have from working with hardware cloth for the past 3 days) putting that 36" wide hardware cloth around the bottom and sides of three walls. Are you saying that predators will get in there at night anyway since the part above my hardware cloth has large gaps? My reasoning for the apron all around was to prevent digging under and into the run.
Sue

Your run is nice for daytime against aerial predators. Don’t rely on those fasteners to hold the sections together. We put up something very similar for our Australian Shepherds when they were puppies. The fasteners never held for long, so we ditched the idea and had chain link installed (same as my chicken runs but without the added hardware cloth). The fasteners always slid down, and the sections would lean from being pushed on. This left big gaps. Just please make sure all of your chickens are very securely locked in at night. We buried our hardware cloth several inches underground to prevent digging underneath, then lined the outside of the runs with railroad ties. I agree that it’s a nice daytime predator-resistant run, but not so resistant for nighttime.