Eastern Shore of MD

[EShorechickens]

Hi all,
I am just planning my coop. I have almost an acre of land, some trees, some cleared. I want to build a coup. I want to a have a protected run, and free range at times. We have fox, racoons, possums, and the like. Oh yes, BLACK SNAKES like crazy. Toying with putting wire under the dirt where the coop will be. I would like 4-6 hens which lay colored eggs, and friendly.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. You may wish to suggest your plans here - https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/coop-run-design-construction-maintenance.9/ and here - https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/find-your-states-thread.270925/

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens great idea use only hardwire cloth others may say they can climb that too not sure I do not have them

 

[JedJackson]

Welcome to BYC, and thanks for joining. Rather than put wire under the dirt of your coop/run, you could put a spreading skirt of hardware cloth around them, facing out. This will keep digging animals from getting in, and it is easier and cheaper. You will need really small hardware cloth to keep snakes out. Normally 1/2" is recommended but you may want to go even smaller. Also remember to think about drainage when you are considering where to place the coop and run. Higher ground is better. Good luck, and I hope you enjoy your time here.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUNomenal community!

 

[JedJackson]

Here's a video that shows what I mean by laying a wire skirt or apron around a coop, rather than burying under the entire floor.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
I have a predator apron around my entire coop/run setup. But I'm not trying to keep out black snakes. Do you know if they burrow?

 

[fldiver97]

Welcome! Glad you decided to join! Pork Pie and JedJackson already provided great links and video..... Good luck!

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. I agree that an apron or skirt around the pen would be effective and easier to maintain/replace.