Has anyone lost any chickens using wire skirting/aprons around run?

[jeria]

I haven't done anything yet. Doing the research and planning to build later this summer so ready for early spring chicks next year. I'm working on a building plan. Am also trying to come up with a budget for new items and hopefully finding them at re-store or other re-sale/used type sources to bring the cost down, including using materials I may already have from other projects to try to keep the cost down.

I'm planning on a raised coop 4x5 or 4x6 a run with the coop in the corner of an 8x10 run with an angled roof over the coop and run. Welded wire run and possible hardware cloth around the bottom few feet maybe 3ft. The run simply straw covered soil. The maximum hens we can legally have in the city is 5.

I have very hard packed loess and clay mix soil that is extremely hard to dig. It would take a backhoe to dig that area 1 foot deep. Backhoe digging is expensive here. I can till it with much work to about 5 inches. I have woods behind my house so we have nasty destructive coons and as you mention lots of squirrels but not many in the backyard due to the pups. Security is a priority, years ago I lost a flock to coyotes and have not had chickens since.

 

[ChickenMammX4]

Our skirting is buried abou 18" and turned out. We haven't lost any chickens to diggers and we have plenty of predators.

 

[lvie]

IMHO The hard clay is an asset. If it would take a backhoe to dig down it would take an animal much endurance to dig also. so that could be good. I have seen where the coop are was prepared with only a couple of inches removed, hardware wire laid down about 18" past the perimeter and then the cement block put on top as a foundation for the frame of the run/coop. After that larger river rock was placed around the perimeter of the run/coop and it looked nice plus was very secure. AND I have seen a run that had a chain link fence or other type fencing used the height of the run with hardware wire around the first couple of feet of the coop. Just so predators cannot access the coop and the chickens necks stay within the perimeter.

Your plans are sound. Its always so difficult beginning something new and not knowing. It sounds as if you are on the right track and the planning is beneficial.

 

[UrbnGardenPeeps]

This is a great topic - thanks for posting! I'm planning to do the apron but my question is how to go around the posts/corners.. We're going to set 4x4 posts in concrete and have one in each corner, and one between each corner. If we have 12" out and 12" in, do you just cut to go around posts? We have raccoons and skunks who killed chickens in our neighbors poorly constructed coop.

 

[FlyWheel]

When I built my run I used two 10'x10'x6' chainlink dog kennels. As I had lost a couple hens to digging predators I also got some 3 foot .5 HC and attached it to the chain link so half was on the fencing the other half skirted out. The skirted part is now covered with tree litter and weeds, so I didn't have to cover it.

You might also consider covering the top as well to protect your birds from climbing pests, like 'coons. Mine is 'roofed' with 2x4 wire. So far so good., no casualties yet.

 

[FlyWheel]

P.S. If your coop is outside the run area be sure to 'seal' any gaps between the two!

 

[wynn4578]

I bury my wire 8 to 12 inches down and then come out 16 inches from the run. I haven't lost a bird to predators yet. I do have 2 Pyrenees that run security though.

 

[dheltzel]

I'm lazy and lay a 2 ft wide skirt of 2x4 welded wire around the perimeter, extending the corners out to prevent easy access there as well. I leave sharp edges on the wire so they will get poked in the eye if the try to dig. Never even had anything try to dig through that. Every predator loss I've had they found a weak point above ground and climbed through or pulled a bird through. I've learned to get down and "think like a fox or coon" before I put birds into a new enclosure. Experience is no fun while you're getting it, but very helpful for future builds.

 

[lvie]

My thought - for what it is worth - is that I would dig until I couldn't in that clay. Lay down the wire on the bottom and the skirt approx 18" outward from the coop/run. I would build the run on a 2x4 frame work with the corner posts included in that frame and then every 15 (?) inches. This frame would sit on top of the cement block that is surrounding the edge of the run. A door incorporated into the run somewhere in here. Remember to make all latches at least a two step process or more. Those coons are smart! And their little paws are remarkable in undoing puzzles.

Then I would attach a secure fencing medium (1/2" HWC would be my go to) at least (don't know how many feet up I would go) a few feet up and fencing or more HWC above that. Fence the top to keep those climbing critters out.

I am maxed out on ideas and I tend to go alittle overboard with security and anyone who wants to add to this or dispute what I am saying - have at it.

 

[kfintoni]

Our run is a 10 x 10 x 6 dog run from TSC. We then wrapped the whole thing in wire. We cut really long pieces ran them under then up three feet on all sides we then zip tied it all together I hope that makes sense. We then ran 3 two by fours across the top and out the ends by a foot on each side. It gave us something to attach the wire to on the top and I then hung a swing from them and hanging baskets on the outside. My only problem now is it is a huge mud bath right now as it has been a really rainy winter and spring.

Karen in MA