Help me construct FT Knox!!!

[Patricia Jane]

As others have stated. Hardware cloth is essential. Also run/yard needs to have a cover or top. Mine are locked up at night. I used padlocks on anything that can be opened. Ventilation is extremely important. Lots of experienced people with great info here. Good Luck and have fun.

 

[fishman65]

Put out a couple of game camera's and let them run for a couple of weeks and you will get a good idea of what kind of predators you have in the area and how bad they are. You don't realize what you have until you can see it on tape. It will surprise you. Just ask around and you should have some friends that have them. Hunters all use them. Game cams are the bomb.

 

[bakerjw]

For the coop.
To reiterate what others have said. Hardware cloth. It is a necessity. I use 2 layers separated by a 2x4 or similar.
Latches. If a 3 year old can open a latch then a raccoon will be able to figure it out. I use padlocks.
Coop door. My chicken doors all lock from the inside.

For the run.
For my runs I use 4' tall 2"x4" welded fence.
I then run several strands of electric fence 6" apart at the base and a few runs near the top. I thoroughly ground my fence so any predator trying to climb will likely be touching both and will get a good heavy zap.
I also picked up some light deer netting from Tractor supply. It creates a barrier for hawks. CDs hanging from strings also helps. Crow decoys are good too.

Some people bury hardware cloth around the perimeter of their runs. I just laid out chicken wire with a heavy layer of mulch. the bottom wires of the electric fence are low enough to keep predators at bay.

You can also put marshmallows on the electric fence. It will attract raccoons but it also teaches them quickly that something about the fence hurts.