Escape Artist Chickens

[GrannyRedHen]

Hello,

About a year ago I got 6 chickens to keep in my back yard. They have recently started digging holes to get out of their pen. I'm currently 8 months pregnant and can't go bury wire fencing, so, I was wondering if anyone had any pocket-book friendly tips on how to keep my chickens from digging out.

It's never been a problem before when they escaped as my only other neighbor at the time was never bothered.. However, we just got new neighbors and they hate my chickens and set their dog on them if they get out. I've already lost one and really don't want to see it happen again. Any advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks

 

[4 the Birds]

Hello,

About a year ago I got 6 chickens to keep in my back yard. They have recently started digging holes to get out of their pen. I'm currently 8 months pregnant and can't go bury wire fencing, so, I was wondering if anyone had any pocket-book friendly tips on how to keep my chickens from digging out.

It's never been a problem before when they escaped as my only other neighbor at the time was never bothered.. However, we just got new neighbors and they hate my chickens and set their dog on them if they get out. I've already lost one and really don't want to see it happen again. Any advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks

I have never heard of a chicken tunneling under a fence to get out. I am not saying that it is impossible but I would have to see it to believe it! More than likely a dog or predator dug the hole and the birds used it. If you have scrap wood or blocks then you could place them along the fence if you did not want to add a fence skirt (no need to bury).

 

[GrannyRedHen]

When I first saw the holes, my first thought was a dog or another predator, but now I've witnessed the little buggers digging out. It looks to me like they're digging the normal 'dirt bath' holes, only right on the edge of the fence..I'm guessing this may be because there is tall grass around the fencing and they want the bugs? For now I have stacked some of our firewood around where they have dug out. I'm really just looking for a temporary solution until I can get out and redo the fenced area. DH works 70 hours a week and I'm not physically able to redo it myself at the moment.


What kind of fence skirt would you suggest? I had thought of maybe buying some wood pallets and placing them the whole way around the inside of the fencing, but in Michigan's climate they would rot pretty fast..This is the first coop I've ever set up myself and I'm still learning and trying to fix the mistakes I made when I originally set it up.


Thank you for the reply!

 

[iwiw60]

When I first saw the holes, my first thought was a dog or another predator, but now I've witnessed the little buggers digging out. It looks to me like they're digging the normal 'dirt bath' holes, only right on the edge of the fence..I'm guessing this may be because there is tall grass around the fencing and they want the bugs? For now I have stacked some of our firewood around where they have dug out. I'm really just looking for a temporary solution until I can get out and redo the fenced area. DH works 70 hours a week and I'm not physically able to redo it myself at the moment.


What kind of fence skirt would you suggest? I had thought of maybe buying some wood pallets and placing them the whole way around the inside of the fencing, but in Michigan's climate they would rot pretty fast..This is the first coop I've ever set up myself and I'm still learning and trying to fix the mistakes I made when I originally set it up.


Thank you for the reply!

The best solution for both your ladies digging out (weird!) and for predators not getting in is this:

You'll have no further problems with this type of setup. Best of luck with your little escape artists!!

 

[4 the Birds]

When I first saw the holes, my first thought was a dog or another predator, but now I've witnessed the little buggers digging out. It looks to me like they're digging the normal 'dirt bath' holes, only right on the edge of the fence..I'm guessing this may be because there is tall grass around the fencing and they want the bugs? For now I have stacked some of our firewood around where they have dug out. I'm really just looking for a temporary solution until I can get out and redo the fenced area. DH works 70 hours a week and I'm not physically able to redo it myself at the moment.


What kind of fence skirt would you suggest? I had thought of maybe buying some wood pallets and placing them the whole way around the inside of the fencing, but in Michigan's climate they would rot pretty fast..This is the first coop I've ever set up myself and I'm still learning and trying to fix the mistakes I made when I originally set it up.


Thank you for the reply!

Normally just a 12 inch or 18 inch wide strip of fencing or wire mesh along the outside perimeter of your run will keep predators from tunneling. I suppose you could add your fence or mesh on the inside and wire to the fence. No need to bury... Just lay it on the ground. You could use simple 12" wide garden fencing and that will for sure keep your birds from escaping from below.

I have 12 inch x 12 inch pavers along the inside of the fencing in our dog kennels to keep dogs from tunneling (we use to have a dog rescue and housed various dogs over the years). The nice thing about the pavers is that it also knocks down mud at the doorways since it is a high traffic area.

 

[GrannyRedHen]

Thank you guys so much! We do have some spare fencing so I'll see if I can talk my tired old man into helping me lay it down and get it situated. I'll let you know how it turns out! ))