Help - how deep??

[KMJonzy]

I know I’ve seen it somewhere before, but can’t find it now... if I’m going to dig in my HC (instead of aproning it out) how deep does it need to go?

 

[DobieLover]

I know I’ve seen it somewhere before, but can’t find it now... if I’m going to dig in my HC (instead of aproning it out) how deep does it need to go?

I've gotta ask: why would you dig when you can apron and get the same effect? Soooooooooooo much more work to dig.

 

[Ghosty]

I've gotta ask: why would you dig when you can apron and get the same effect? Soooooooooooo much more work to dig.

I would go 2 foot down. You don't get the same effect. I had a black snake tunneling under my apron, and had to HC the bottom of my run. My outbuilding is also raised and she could tunnel from under the outbuilding into the run. There were many tunnels clearly visible from outside the apron into the run.

 

[DobieLover]

I would go 2 foot down. You don't get the same effect. I had a black snake tunneling under my apron, and had to HC the bottom of my run. My outbuilding is also raised and she could tunnel from under the outbuilding into the run. There were many tunnels clearly visible from outside the apron into the run.

I guess it all depends on the type of predator you are dealing with. I have no such issues in my area.

 

[paneubert]

I would go 2 foot down. You don't get the same effect. I had a black snake tunneling under my apron, and had to HC the bottom of my run. My outbuilding is also raised and she could tunnel from under the outbuilding into the run. There were many tunnels clearly visible from outside the apron into the run.

I unfortunately have to agree that an apron does not always function as it should. I had rats who were smart enough to back away from the apron and tunnel under. And this was an apron that I had under an inch of gravel. So they not only backed up to find the edge, but did it while also digging "down" the inch it took to find the hardware cloth.

In theory an apron on the surface is great and logically should work on the "dumb" predators, but there seem to be some "smart" ones out there.

 

[KMJonzy]

I've gotta ask: why would you dig when you can apron and get the same effect? Soooooooooooo much more work to dig.

I'm actually planning to apron out on 3 of the sides of the run. But the fourth side is up against a wooden snow fence. On the other side of the snow fence is a bunch of farm equipment, which does two negative things for me: 1) blocks my access to apron and 2) provides great protection/hiding spots for predators to hunker down and try to get into my run. So I think I've got to dig in the HC on that side or risk losing my girls FAST.

 

[aart]

I unfortunately have to agree that an apron does not always function as it should. I had rats who were smart enough to back away from the apron and tunnel under.

I've read several stories recently about rodents going under an apron....if rats are common burying 18" sounds like a good idea, stinks for folks who already have aprons.