Hi, my name is Christina and I live in Putnam County, NY. I have never had chickens and am in the planning stages now. I have a shed that I will be converting to a coop, and attached enclosed run. I do have a good idea for the dilemma of making sure the enclosure is buried at least a foot deep to avoid predators digging in: you still dig a trench around the perimeter, but make it about 4-5 inches wide, pour concrete in, and while its still soft, insert fence poles at intervals to attach chicken wire to. (You also have to insert the bottom of the chicken wire into the soft cement so it cant be pulled up). This will prevent a predator from just pulling up the fence, which is what happened when I tried to keep ducks. Anyway, I love this site, it's very informative. I will be starting my coop building in the spring, then will look for a poultry farm near me to buy done chickens!
Hello from Kansas, Christina, and ! Pleased to have you with us! Sounds like you are making the Fort Knox of coops! That is a secure feeling. Best of luck to you!!
from California, I would use hardware cloth rather than chicken wire, it's a strong small diameter wire. Good luck!
Thanks for the great welcome! Yes I agree about the hardware cloth, I realized it after I posted. I also read someone's post regarding the permanency of using concrete. If I ever want to pull up the fence, it will be hard to do. I guess I'll just dig down a foot and make an apron, reinforced on top of the apron with cinder blocks.
