Excavation by Birds - A Word of Warning

[Eggscaping]

Chickens can DIG!!!
There are many places where I've had to stick pavers or bricks around where they dig so they don't undermine concrete blocks or dig right out from under the run walls. There's a concrete block sitting tall, that held up one end of a roost that was darn near about to fall, I fixed it before the pics so it's not included here.

It's pretty crazy, so thought I'd share some pics of what parts of my run look like where I need to add some more deterrents.
If you have any structural blocks, posts, etc...protect them from The Chicken Excavators!!!

Here I added a couple pieces of concrete, they just dug out between them...this hole is about 4" deep.


This is just in the middle of the run about 6" deep, I'll leave it as is, the line of pavers covers a drain pipe...so they won't dig it up.


Old gate and grazing frame leaning up against run wall.
They have dug down all around them to they are just held up but some dirt.

Chickens can DIG!!!
There are many places where I've had to stick pavers or bricks around where they dig so they don't undermine concrete blocks or dig right out from under the run walls. There's a concrete block sitting tall, that held up one end of a roost that was darn near about to fall, I fixed it before the pics so it's not included here.

It's pretty crazy, so thought I'd share some pics of what parts of my run look like where I need to add some more deterrents.
If you have any structural blocks, posts, etc...protect them from The Chicken Excavators!!!

Here I added a couple pieces of concrete, they just dug out between them...this hole is about 4" deep.


This is just in the middle of the run about 6" deep, I'll leave it as is, the line of pavers covers a drain pipe...so they won't dig it up.


Old gate and grazing frame leaning up against run wall.
They have dug down all around them to they are just held up but some dirt.

This is something new to me, who is 'in waiting' to get our own chickens and living vicariously through the rest of you who actually have them. I see lots of pics of holes that the chooks dig, but not the WHY! What are they doing? Making dust-bathing holes? Looking for worms/bugs? Filing their little chickee nails? Aerobic exercises? Boredom digging? Some sort of poultry art form...performance art, perhaps? Escape rehearsal? Making friends with moles? Archaeology? Looking for arrowheads or fossils? (Someone throw me a bone here, I can do this all night!)

 

[TweedyChick]

This is something new to me, who is 'in waiting' to get our own chickens and living vicariously through the rest of you who actually have them. I see lots of pics of holes that the chooks dig, but not the WHY! What are they doing? Making dust-bathing holes? Looking for worms/bugs? Filing their little chickee nails? Aerobic exercises? Boredom digging? Some sort of poultry art form...performance art, perhaps? Escape rehearsal? Making friends with moles? Archaeology? Looking for arrowheads or fossils? (Someone throw me a bone here, I can do this all night!)

I'm in the same situation as you are (waiting for delivery of the coop and ultimate securing of chickens) and just marveling at the ways of chickens. Was also thrilled to see someone who has a run similar to what I'm considering (the big "tent" construction, covered with mesh). I'm planning on putting the "tent" on a grassy part of the donkey yard, which (I hope) will limit the "girls'" ability to tunnel out.

But our donkeys do some serious digging, too. Mostly for their dust baths (or mud baths after it has been raining). We've got one donkey dug spot that has turned into a mini sink hole that fills up with water in the rain - so DH put the donkey fencing up directly over the hole, which at least limits the likelihood that one of us will inadvertently fall into it.

 

[perchie.girl]

i would love to do hot wire.... But My ground is too dry most of the year to get a good ground. 9-12 inches of precipitation per year. And a perk rate that will drain a three thousand gallon water tank without leaving a puddle.

Coyotes and Feral dogs are the biggest issues... We do have desert fox but I haven't seen any I think the coyotes drive them out.

I have considered Bipolar hot wire.... Positive on one strand negative on the other... And they do make bipolar Tape... But I haven't come across anyone who has used it. I will be needing Horse and goat containment as well.

I read the first page of the link @cavemanrich posted and the link offered up many ideas I hadn't considered.

deb

 

[cavemanrich]

@perchie.girl
As I started reading your post, my thoughts were already on what your 3rd paragraph contained.
My suggestion for your dry area, is using the Bi-polar wire, or tape. In addition, I would also secure a grounding wire so that if the ground does get that occasional rain, It will additionally work.
Another little trick to teach predators,,,,, is to bait the HOT WIRE, with some bait like bacon, or chicken skins. Most animals are smart to avoid it in the future.

 

[perchie.girl]

@perchie.girl
As I started reading your post, my thoughts were already on what your 3rd paragraph contained.
My suggestion for your dry area, is using the Bi-polar wire, or tape. In addition, I would also secure a grounding wire so that if the ground does get that occasional rain, It will additionally work.
Another little trick to teach predators,,,,, is to bait the HOT WIRE, with some bait like bacon, or chicken skins. Most animals are smart to avoid it in the future.

Yep Yep Yep on it all.....

https://www.horseguardfence.com/

 

[aart]

This is something new to me, who is 'in waiting' to get our own chickens and living vicariously through the rest of you who actually have them. I see lots of pics of holes that the chooks dig, but not the WHY! What are they doing? Making dust-bathing holes? Looking for worms/bugs? Filing their little chickee nails? Aerobic exercises? Boredom digging? Some sort of poultry art form...performance art, perhaps? Escape rehearsal? Making friends with moles? Archaeology? Looking for arrowheads or fossils? (Someone throw me a bone here, I can do this all night!)

They are digging....because they can (just like crossing the road).
Sometimes for dusting.
Definitely looking for eats.
Filing, Aerobics, Art...unintentionally, Yes.
Boredom, Escape...Nah.
Moles definitely help with the holes, and the birds take advantage of that.
Basically, it's just instinctual.

 

[Shadowfire]

I once had a bantam hen who dug a tunnel all the way out of her pen

 

[BigBlueHen53]

They may also dig looking for a cool spot. I liked all your suggestions! How creative you are!

 

[TheRusticRebel]

They also destroy bushes , flowerbeds and beloved perrenials herbs...

 

[BigBlueHen53]

They also destroy bushes , flowerbeds and beloved perrenials herbs...

Indeed. We have a "fence-out" policy around here... anything we don't want the chickens to get INTO, we fence them OUT of. Fortunately, they have lots of room and leave my irises, lilies, daffodils and other established plants alone.

Edited to add: there would be no hope for the mint if they could get their grubby little claws into it, though!