Do predators try to enter runs during the day?

[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

 

[CoyoteMagic]

I've had dogs and cats take out some of my chickens. Fox will try anytime day or night.

 

[Chicky Tocks]

A dog or cat will. So will a hawk.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

You could always put a wire apron on it. It's a flange of wire that lays on top of the ground all around the base, to prevent digging. On a tractor, you can hinge them at the bottom so they flip up during moving, then just tie or clip them up.

 

[Chicken411]

Thanks Woodland Woman. That is a great suggestion!

 

[Baylen]

I was having the same dillema! Thanks W Woman!!!

 

[WoodlandWoman]

You're welcome!

 

[maryinsc]

I'm in the middle of building a tractor arc, with an upstairs coop. I want to make it predator proof, so was trying to think the best way to protect from digging under. The apron sounds like my answer but I have a few questions. How far in does the apron need to go? I'm using 1/2 inch hardware cloth for the sides. We have raccoons, skunks, possums, and an occasional coyote, occasional fox in the neighborhood, not to mention my dogs. I can close the hens into the coop at night but I'm hoping to be able to leave the stair-hatch opened so they can come and go (between coop and run) as they please. Would it be safe to leave the coop door opened with just an apron and not have the bottom fully enclosed? Will an apron keep out mice and rats also?
Thanks,
Mary

 

[HorseFeathers]

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