Hardware cloth for floor of run

[black_cat]

Chickens don't eat or drink at night. We keep the feed in the coop at night and lock it in with the chickens just to keep it and them safe from predators, varmints and weather. The water stays outside so it does not increase humidity in the coop, which could be disastrous in winter, leading to possible frostbite on combs.

I was planning to do that, but then worried that if I didn't get up early enough the chickens might not have enough water access. I'm kinda erratic with when I wake up, and might have to consider an automatic door at some point, but don't want to to start.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I recently did this, then added squares of sod I bought at Home Depot. I know the grass will probably be gone soon but at least it will leave a thick layer of dirt for them to walk on. Eventually I plan on adding concrete sand on top of the dirt. So far it’s working great and none of the hard ware cloth is exposed.

I am VERY new to chickens though - this might end up being a disaster.

I basically laid out hardware cloth under the coop extending beyond the coop about 1 to 2 feet. I then lifted up each side and stapled the hardware cloth to the bottom of the coop. So the hardware cloth is attached along the bottom. But it also has a ‘skirt’.

Laying sod on the hardware cloth apron outside the run might be a great idea, though. Would sure keep it from working its way up through gravel or sand, wouldn't it?

 

[aart]

back on this thread because one question leads to another-I've been looking at feeder/waterer inside vs. having them outside, and I'm wondering if it would be easier to have the door between the coop and run open at night. however, that would mean I would probably want to run hardware cloth all the way under the coop. How many inches of bedding (mulch, sand, pine shavings) would I need to make it ok for the chickens?

Are you reading the other posts?

Little holes? Mine go like 8" down!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/excavation-by-birds-a-word-of-warning.1086535/

In your climate you're going to want a heated waterer.
I use this,
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-heated-waterer-with-horizontal-nipples.67256/
no addition of humidity to coop.

 

[Wetmorechick]

Skirt is a great way to protect your flock. I wish I would have thought of it! I did it the hard way - I dug 2 foot trenches around my run and buried it! Of course the week that I worked on it - it was about 95 degrees and 95% humidity! It was really fun - NOT!