Hardware cloth for floor of run

[Mamatomany123]

can't the dog just dig under the skirt?

Also, if your dog is THAT determined to get in then you either need to supervise when dog is outside or not get chickens. He'll find a way in eventually if hes that determined.

 

[aart]

Chickens dig little holes to dust in.

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

example 1 foot or more

At least a foot...18" would be better.

Good examples of anti-dig apron installation.
If rodents are prolific, burying the apron ~12" would be good.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wire-around-coop.1110498/#post-17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

 

[Mamatomany123]

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

At least a foot...18" would be better.

Good examples of anti-dig apron installation.
If rodents are prolific, burying the apron ~12" would be good.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wire-around-coop.1110498/#post-17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

Mine are still young. I have been noticing a few bigger ones though

 

[LovieG]

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’.

 

[aart]

then added squares of sod I bought at Home Depot.

<cringes> I hope that sod isn't treated with 'lawn' chemicals(pesticides/fungicides, fertilizers, etc)

 

[LovieG]

<cringes> I hope that sod isn't treated with 'lawn' chemicals(pesticides/fungicides, fertilizers, etc)

It doesn’t - chickens are doing fine

 

[rosemarythyme]

Also, if your dog is THAT determined to get in then you either need to supervise when dog is outside or not get chickens. He'll find a way in eventually if hes that determined.

If a dog is that determined, it'll just go THROUGH the fence instead of trying to dig through/under the apron.

 

[black_cat]

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?

 

[Rivendell Chick]

Our hardware cloth for the run extends in unbroken pieces from roofline to 18" beyond the base in all directions, then covered with clay. We're adding pea gravel on top of that. Even our xtra large dog diggers think it looks like too much work to fool with. Hopefully all the rural varmints we have will think so too. Thankfully no bears within 30 miles and the dogs do a good job of keeping coyotes and Bobcats away.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

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.