Expanded Run Build

[Ted Brown]

FWIW My "ideal" goal for run bedding is per @aart.

"Aged ramial wood chippings are best IMO.


"

 

[Ted Brown]

Install Hardware Cloth:

Minimum previous install experience with 1/2" by 1/2" four foot high HC. Doing a good job is a lot of cutting, reattaching HC sections and careful critter proof installation.

I cut and attached 16" aprons around whole coop; attachment done with Dewalt Hog Tie tool.

 

[aart]

Wow, thought you'd add a nailer across that span for the HC joint.
Any overlap of the HC there?
That must have been tricky!

 

[Ted Brown]

View attachment 2411619
Wow, thought you'd add a nailer across that span for the HC joint.
Any overlap of the HC there?
That must have been tricky!

I will add wooden trim both sides along the horizontal HC seams, hoping that will suffice from both predator intrusion and wall stiffness perspectives.

The hog tie tool and a bit of layout step logic makes it very doable.

 

[Sally PB]

I really LOVE the tree/toy/perch you put in.

 

[Ted Brown]

Reset:

I will remove the 10 roofing panels (to my chagrin). Two reasons: better predator proofing for hardware cloth; install roofing membrane.

I will wrap top HC over the roof strapping/membrane and under roof tin. Will adjust alignment and overhang of panels.

The 100 year old tin I am using has holes/tears from past installation/removal; the membrane will divert water intrusions to lower back roof line.

Do it right the first time, duh!

 

[Ted Brown]

Hardware Cloth Installation for a Run:

Based on my experience this is a serious job.

Most runs that I have seen are built in a regular frame structure where openings match width of HC. I have a pole shed with an irregular pole layout.

Regardless there are multiple steps:

1. cut, attach, connect HC for walls, aprons, door;
2. critter proof overall structure;
3. design, build, install run door;

In my case the most tedious task is cutting and re-attaching pieces of HC, some large some small, into a cage that envelopes the structure. I decided on hog ring pliers

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-P7DW-...eywords=hog+ring+pliers&qid=1605961394&sr=8-6

Once I started to use them I realized that this style limits access to the two wires that need to be bound together; essentially the two pieces of HC have to be folded back, hog-tied, unfolded; flexible wire "sewn in" must be used in a few situations. There are better plier designs, some quite expensive.

"Encaging" an irregular structure requires even more work as HC does not easily bend. One is forced to bend, cut, tie together, critter proof various nooks and crannies in inventive ways.

I will get some pictures.

 

[aart]

Once I started to use them I realized that this style limits access to the two wires that need to be bound together; essentially the two pieces of HC have to be folded back, hog-tied, unfolded; flexible wire "sewn in" must be used in a few situations.

Yep, why I 'hate' hog ring and jclips for HC.

I will get some pictures.

 

[rayrose]

"Encaging" an irregular structure requires even more work as HC does not easily bend. One is forced to bend, cut, tie together, critter proof various nooks and crannies in inventive ways.

Expandable foam insulation will work for those small areas, where HC doesn't work.

 

[Ted Brown]

Expandable foam insulation will work for those small areas, where HC doesn't work.

How is expandable foam critter/predator proof?