First night in the coop I AM VERY NERVOUS ... is my coop secure enough?

[jjb1953]

Quote: Two different friends in the area who have chickens have lost some within the past month or so due to predators.
And one farm I know had been losing a chicken a night to a fox.

 

[chynasparks]

Now that would be cool. It would be great if it yelled at the varmint LOL

 

[jjb1953]

Well I chickened out and brought them back in last night.
Will try and make some modifications today.

 

[aart]

The hardware cloth on and around the door looks iffy, tacked on the very edge like that.
I've read that 3/4" poultry staples work pretty good but those look smaller than that...tho it's hard to tell in the pics what you used.

 

[jjb1953]

Thanks,
I am going to fix the door too. I am thinking of putting another layer of hardware cloth over it using screws and washers.
I will also put in a thick plywood floor and do something about the gaps under the metal roof.

Eventually (in Sept) the coop will be redone and look something like this:
http://www.shedsunlimited.net/files/4x6-wooden-chicken-coop-Lean-To.jpg

But for now, I just want it secured.
Is hardware cloth considered secure? Can animals chew through it? Or do I need to block off a portion of the coop with wood?
We have an abundance of predators where we are at. Bobcats, fox, coons, skunks, possum, small weasels, fishers and of course neighborhood dogs who too often stray into our area.

 

[chynasparks]

Aaaaawwww, Mother Hen, you like your peeps. You'll feel better after your modifications. Good luck.

 

[chynasparks]

Wish I could post pics haven't been able to. Tonight is a red letter day!!! My peeps welt into the roost area all 4 by themselves today without my having to put them in! It seems the problem was a design flaw on our part. There is a ledge bug enough for them to lay on (barely) in front of the nest/roost box area (upper level of enclosed pen). Today I found the cutest decoràtive piece to put there do they can't get there instead of walking through the pop hole. All 4 put themselves to bed in and on the roost tonight! Yeah!! Even though this structure; run and roost/nest box is all enclosed, I want them in that box. They made me proud tonight!