Do predators try to enter runs during the day? x post

[Chicken411]

My husband and I are building a tractor with a run attached to it. We plan on making the coop section very secure and locking the chickens in it at night. We are keeping the chickens on a neighbor's property which is pretty remote. There are foxes, cats, and probably some racoons. We wanted to leave the bottom of the run open and move the coop and run every day so they can free range a little and less mess for us to clean up, but I am concerned predators may enter the run by digging under it. They will only be exposed to that type of danger during the day as they will be put away at night. Since they are not going to be where I can easily keep an eye on them, is this something I should be concerned about? If it is going to be a problem, is it possible to put wire on the bottom of a run and have the chickens still be able to free range a little. Seems like a wire bottom would make it very uncomfortable?

Thanks

 

[patman75]

I have added wire as to the bottom of the run on my tractor. The chickens will be fine, they just wont be able to dig up the ground. Live chickens are always better then dead chickens.

 

[Rin]

Unfortunately all the digging predators I can think of are out during the day - dogs and foxes. It's why my run has a skirt. We have both poking about on occasion here. I would think though a wire bottom might make it easier to move your tractor without upsetting the chickens too

Since they have something stable to stand on when you move it about. Just no digging like patman said

 

[Jen71]

This is my main concern re: chicken tractors & caged bottoms of runs.

Can they still eat bugs off the ground if they can't dig through the soil?
If they can't dig, or eat bugs, then they're not really free ranging, are they?

 

[chauqg]

Predators are wary of a moving tractor. Why have a tractor with a wire base - you are defeating the purpose. You should just make a regular coop and run. BTW I had a run that was covered all except the bottom and I coon ate one of my birds at night through the hardware wire on the sides of the pen. I believe it was 1"x2". My new tractor is made of 1/2"x1/2" hardware wire without a bottom. The new tractor worked just fine last year no problems other than hawks when the birds were free ranging daily. Now that they are full sized RIR's the hawks have not been interested. I see coon tracks at my coop, but never found any at the tractor.

Good Luck

 

[Chicken411]

Thanks for the responses everyone.

Rin- I had never heard of a skirt. It sounds like a great idea.

Chauqg- I can't believe a racoon got your chicken through the wire. How frustrating.

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm going to do more research on a skirt.

 

[patman75]

Quote:
The skirt can go te trick. I have seen pictures of wire skirts with rocks and cyinder blocks on top to keep te predators out.

the other reason for having wire on the bottom of the run is to keep the chickens from digging. Yes, yes I know it is not true free ranging. 3 chickens will clear a 4X8 run down to the dirt in one day. If you have a nice lawn and just want the chickens to eat it, fertilize it and not destroy it you might want to go this route. Can always let them out for supervised free ranging.

Check this out.

 

[Chicken411]

LOL Patman, that video cracked me up! Mine will be in a field, so I don't have to worry about it. Good to know though!

 

[patman75]

Quote:
I felt bad for the guy...but giggled too. Here he is thinking "my chickens are kinda free ranging, they will be safe" he builds his a-frame, has his chickens and then 1 day later his lawn is gone!

His tone says it all.

With your chickens in a field let them tear it up. Chickens are also called little bulldozers or rottotillers. I put mine in my garden during the fall after everything is done and they riped it up. I did not have to do a thing other than throw some leaves into the garden for them to work them into the soil. Pets that make breakfast, fertilize my lawn & garden and do chores! Best investiment ever!

Good luck with your tractor!

 

[Chicken411]

Quote:
I felt bad for the guy...but giggled too. Here he is thinking "my chickens are kinda free ranging, they will be safe" he builds his a-frame, has his chickens and then 1 day later his lawn is gone!

His tone says it all.

With your chickens in a field let them tear it up. Chickens are also called little bulldozers or rottotillers. I put mine in my garden during the fall after everything is done and they riped it up. I did not have to do a thing other than throw some leaves into the garden for them to work them into the soil. Pets that make breakfast, fertilize my lawn & garden and do chores! Best investiment ever!

Good luck with your tractor!

Yeah, I love the, "that grass is gone! So you little chickens have gotten your Omega-3 snack and I'm gonna have to reseed this..." LOL! His tone is funny. You can tell he's mad, but he still loves his chickens.