Hardware Cloth & OBS??

[NewHomesteader2010]

Hello BYC'ers. We are currently building a barn style coop (11'x11') pictured below:

My question is twofold. First: for the run (which will be 200 sq ft, 7' TALL sloping to 6') do we need hardware cloth on the top of the run? We are planning on putting up chicken wire for the sides with hardware cloth in front and buried 2' into the ground, the coop itself is on a concrete pad, so we're not worried about digging there. Just wondering if the hardware cloth on top is necessary.
My second question is: My DH bought exterior OSB (??) (I'm positive it's not plywood) and I have read mixed reviews on it. It's too late to take it back, so I was wondering what's the best way to treat it and keep it lasting as long as we can? Is coating it in several thin layers of latex paint okay? I read on here to pay particular attention to cut joints and edges - so if we were to do that, would it be okay? Is there something we can do to "seal" it before painting it to make it more moisture resistant? Thank you SO much everyone for your help!!

 

[zookeeper15133]

Nice barn!

Q1: You can use deer netting on top. It comes in 7' wide rolls. I think 1 roll may do it. It is about $20 a roll.

Q2: The ready to assemble shed kits are all OSB. I have it on my shed. Prime and paint before you install, yes be sure to get edges well. Also be sure it does not come in contact with the ground. Any wet that stays in contact with it will be absorbed. Leave a space at the bottom, then cover the gap with a trim board. Good luck!

 

[WildChicken]

Your coop looks like it's going to turn out nice. I would caution you on using regular chicken wire on the sides. That is what I used on my first coop and dogs were able to get through. I have since used the welded wire. I like it much better than chicken wire. I used the 2x4 inch but you can get it in the 1x2 inch as well. The top isn't as big of an issue. Chicken wire or deer netting would probably work ok for that.

Good Luck.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

hardware cloth in front and buried 2' into the ground

That's a LOT of work considering simply laying it on the surface and covering with a thin layer of soil will accomplish the exact same thing.

And nothing will dig in if you use "chicken wire" since they will just go through that instead of digging​

 

[Chicken-Rage]

As far as the OSB, put some good outdoor paint on it. (OUTDOOR) paint! Thats a good looking barn coop. Good luck.

 

[allpeepedout]

Quote:
That's a LOT of work considering simply laying it on the surface and covering with a thin layer of soil will accomplish the exact same thing.

And nothing will dig in if you use "chicken wire" since they will just go through that instead of digging

Regarding laying an apron on the ground to prevent digging, this is recommended a lot yet a recent video thread on the Predators category shows a fox backing up at least 2 ft. to edge of apron and digging under. Has anybody had this happen?

 

[AlienChick]

Quote:
They're onto us!!!

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
That's why I worry when I see people happily reporting, or even *recommending*, really minimal type aprons (or burial depths either, for that matter).

My suggestion has always been 2-3' wide apron, or bury the foot of your run wire at least 18" deep, for a typical situation; and more, like at least a 4' wide apron or 2' deep burial, if you are in one of the relatively-rare locations that has "professional" type foxes that do this for a living (red foxes being really scary-dedicated diggers if they learn there's a reliable meal to be had by it).

No matter WHICH you do, apron or buried wire, IMHO it does not make sense to skimp on it.

JMHO, good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[NewHomesteader2010]

Quote:
That's why I worry when I see people happily reporting, or even *recommending*, really minimal type aprons (or burial depths either, for that matter).

My suggestion has always been 2-3' wide apron, or bury the foot of your run wire at least 18" deep, for a typical situation; and more, like at least a 4' wide apron or 2' deep burial, if you are in one of the relatively-rare locations that has "professional" type foxes that do this for a living (red foxes being really scary-dedicated diggers if they learn there's a reliable meal to be had by it).

No matter WHICH you do, apron or buried wire, IMHO it does not make sense to skimp on it.

JMHO, good luck, have fun,

Pat

Forgive my ignorance, but what do you mean by an apron? Should we skip the chicken wire altogether on the sides and just do hardware cloth? We were planning to do the entire run with both, but only having the hardware cloth go about 1/2 way up, and buried 2 feet along with the chicken wire. I would like to try to make the area as predator proof as possible though!!

Thank you everyone for your help...Pardon the gal who until recently couldn't tell the difference between chicken wire and hardware cloth!!

 

[zookeeper15133]

I would use welded wire 1x2 instead of hardware cloth. It will last longer. The apron is the part you are going to bury.