Feels like I'm reverse engineering Alcatraz....Wire, Stone, Trenches..oh my

[Snaps]

So..

I'm in the process of constructing the coop - which will have an enclosed outdoor run (all sides and top).

Would love feedback from those way wiser and experienced than me on the following:

1) Burying Depth. I'm going to be using hardware cloth on the exterior of the outdoor run. I've seen ranges from 12-24" deep burying. I was going to go down 12".

2) Burying width: As above...was going to flare the cloth (once down 12") out about 18" from the fence line.

3) Stone Surround: I have an abundance of field stone/stream stones...and was thinking about placing a crap ton of them at the base of the fence (covered where the cloth would enter the ground) as a two fold burying deterrent and a nice "design" element. Also provides a wee bit of protection from pests accessing the lower portion of the fencing. Though I guess now they have a step up. Hmm.

Ok....that's it for now

4)

 

[rosemarythyme]

So your stone surround idea works against the apron - by putting stones around the base of the run, you're shortening the coverage the apron provides, because pests/predators will start digging at the base of the rocks instead of the run. if you have let's say 20" of apron total, but 10" of rock, the actual apron coverage is now 10" - a predator would only need to move back 10" to find the edge of the wire and start going under.

The point is to deter predators from digging at all, rather than increasing the length that they have to dig under.

 

[Folly's place]

I do like the Alcatraz comparison though...
I like to think of it more like 'Ft. Knox', but won't argue the point.
Mary

 

[Friendly_Lurker]

I've found that an electric fence around the whole thing ensures flock safety.

 

[DobieLover]

So..

I'm in the process of constructing the coop - which will have an enclosed outdoor run (all sides and top).

Would love feedback from those way wiser and experienced than me on the following:

1) Burying Depth. I'm going to be using hardware cloth on the exterior of the outdoor run. I've seen ranges from 12-24" deep burying. I was going to go down 12".

2) Burying width: As above...was going to flare the cloth (once down 12") out about 18" from the fence line.

3) Stone Surround: I have an abundance of field stone/stream stones...and was thinking about placing a crap ton of them at the base of the fence (covered where the cloth would enter the ground) as a two fold burying deterrent and a nice "design" element. Also provides a wee bit of protection from pests accessing the lower portion of the fencing. Though I guess now they have a step up. Hmm.

Ok....that's it for now

4)

You don't have to bury it at all. Just securely attach the hardware cloth to the base of the coop and run and spread it across the ground 24 in. Pin down the outside edges with landscape pins. You can then sprinkle some soil on top of it and plant grass seed or just wait for the grass to grow up through the wire and you won't even notice it's there.

 

[Chipper Chicken]

You don't have to bury it at all. Just securely attach the hardware cloth to the base of the coop and run and spread it across the ground 24 in. Pin down the outside edges with landscape pins. You can then sprinkle some soil on top of it and plant grass seed or just wait for the grass to grow up through the wire and you won't even notice it's there.

I respectfully disagree.
Unless you don’t have moles where you live, but I do. And where moles tunnel the gophers follow, and then the snakes, weasels, rats, mice, and who knows what else.

If you can Rent a stand behind track trencher if you have a lot to do, (we did 550’) or look into (google) the new cable laying chain saw type trenchers that just do an inch or so wide 1-3’ (?) for short straight flat areas. Use hog rings to attach the HW cloth to your perimeter fence, then add electric to that, and some kind of netting or wire overhead too.

 

[Snaps]

Thank you, everyone, for the awesome feedback!

Yeah...The run will be fully enclosed with Hardware cloth (tops, sides). I 100% will be burying it down and flaring out a good 18"-24".

As for electrifying...hadn't REALLY considered that, but, I will be running electric out to the coop at some point in the near future. Worth looking into for sure.

 

[Snaps]

I do like the Alcatraz comparison though...
I like to think of it more like 'Ft. Knox', but won't argue the point.
Mary

LOL....yeah, hadn't thought that analogy all the way through. Ft. Knox is way better.

 

[DobieLover]

I respectfully disagree.
Unless you don’t have moles where you live, but I do. And where moles tunnel the gophers follow, and then the snakes, weasels, rats, mice, and who knows what else.

If you can Rent a stand behind track trencher if you have a lot to do, (we did 550’) or look into (google) the new cable laying chain saw type trenchers that just do an inch or so wide 1-3’ (?) for short straight flat areas. Use hog rings to attach the HW cloth to your perimeter fence, then add electric to that, and some kind of netting or wire overhead too.

My chickens eat moles and mice among other small critters than can chase down. And they have access to the outside of the run. I've used this type of apron for over 2 years and not a thing has burrowed into the run.

 

[FML]

I used hardware cloth on the inside bottom of the coop buried under a foot of soil. That and the apron as described previously will hopefully keep my girls safe and secure. My coop is only 8x8 but the burying of the cloth was still a chore.
Good luck.