Hardware cloth under entire run?

[Mastiffmomx3]

Hi everyone,

Is it necessary to put hardware cloth underneath the entire run to deter predators (mainly rats)? We had a rat problem years ago and are restarting our flock and really want to do it right.

I’m adding an extension to our existing run - 4ftx10ft - and that is hardware clothed all underneath. This new run would be much larger…. Will skirting the perimeter down and out stop the rats from digging in tunnels to the coop?

 

[Debbie292d]

It's recommended to run it 18" deeper than the fence, and bury that. We made an "L" at the bottom, then covered that with dirt and rocks. It was too hard to dig down due to tree roots and huge rocks/boulders underneath, but if you can, that's the best.

18" is suggested, especially for rats.

You could do the "floor" of the whole thing but that would get pretty expensive and unnecessary if you're able to skirt it well.

 

[Krugerrand]

Plus, any 'floor' hardware cloth must be deeper than the chickens can dig to avoid damaging their toes.

 

[perkolator]

If Run2 is larger, I'd just do the perimeter and maybe just put a chicken door between the two runs so Run1 is secure at night.

That's basically how I made my setup, Run1 structure is very secure with HC underneath the floor and no gaps bigger than 1/2". Run2 is bigger so I only did the skirting and put a Run Chicken auto door between the two for daily access. I definitely see mole/vole activity in Run2, but they can't get into Run1 (seen evidence they've tried to come up from underneath and hit the HC) Feeder stays in Run1 where rodents won't get it at night unless they can fit through the 1/2" HC...a few have tried, but didn't succeed in escaping after eating and get stuck in the fence

 

[FAVEROLLES LOVER]

If Run2 is larger, I'd just do the perimeter and maybe just put a chicken door between the two runs so Run1 is secure at night.

That's basically how I made my setup, Run1 structure is very secure with HC underneath the floor and no gaps bigger than 1/2". Run2 is bigger so I only did the skirting and put a Run Chicken auto door between the two for daily access. I definitely see mole/vole activity in Run2, but they can't get into Run1 (seen evidence they've tried to come up from underneath and hit the HC) Feeder stays in Run1 where rodents won't get it at night unless they can fit through the 1/2" HC...a few have tried, but didn't succeed in escaping after eating and get stuck in the fence

I had the same problem this past summer. I had my coop and a run on each side similar to your set up. Never saw a rat in my life until I put in a coop camera, thought is was chip monk holes. I did the mesh 1ft down the outside wall and 1ft out from the wall and covered with dirt. BUT they were already underground in my runs. Coop had a floor not on the ground. I closed the the door to one run and set rat snap traps with peanut butter and put them near the holes covered with shavings. Within 2 days I caught 7 rats from small to the daddy rat. I don't ever want this to happen again as I had just put in my 6 week old chicks on one side of the coop. Food and water is taken out and chickens are locked in the coop at dusk. Bait boxes around the back of the runs and coop and now finally no rats but I am very watchful. I do not free range I live in NH and there are predators but I have never seen them except the rats. Good luck

 

[cute fuzzy chicks]

Hi everyone,

Is it necessary to put hardware cloth underneath the entire run to deter predators (mainly rats)? We had a rat problem years ago and are restarting our flock and really want to do it right.

I’m adding an extension to our existing run - 4ftx10ft - and that is hardware clothed all underneath. This new run would be much larger…. Will skirting the perimeter down and out stop the rats from digging in tunnels to the coop?

When I had a larger run (25' X 30'). I buried hardware cloth 6" and also put barbwire at the bottom of the hardware cloth (over kill?). I never had a problem with rats or any other critter getting into the run