How can I predator proof this?

[TwistedTayy]

We are remodeling our 10x25’ shed (via contractor) to a multi pen pilot run chicken barn. We’ve had rats in here in the past and I’m worried about re-infiltration. We just took down all of the siding today and I was able to get a better look. This is what we’re working with…

This wee crack is where I KNOW they were getting in and out. Or one place anyways. It’s along the brick foundation/metal siding. There is obviously gap filler and the whole way around (this shed was pre existing when we bought the property). I’ve read not to use it so how do I fill the crack and also how do I remove/mitigate the existing gap filler?

There is also this roof ingress point. Short of cladding the entire interior in hardware cloth, what do I do?

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

With rats your first step is hygiene. Make sure there is no food in the coop to attract them. As far as actual proofing ideas I'm not much help. I do know that once we got spill proof feeders and started bringing the food in at night our problems were solved. We also have a good barn cat. Those two things will help but I do think plugging the gaps is important I'm just not sure how you would do it.

 

[Mr Spot]

Maybe just plain Portland cement with some builders sand and no rocks will work, it should be easy to mix and pour at the ground level cracks and maybe 1/2 inch hardware cloth for the other places.

 

[mowin]

I've read course steel wool and expanding foam works, but haven't tried it myself.

 

[saysfaa]

I would try filling the lower gap with a piece of a wooden shim screwed to the existing wood framing if it just one spot. If there is similar gap at every post, I might not fix them. Instead, spend some of that time beefing up a hardware cloth apron - getting it gap free, well secured, and so on.

I can't see the upper gap. Looks like you have a leak where the skylight panel meets the steel roof panel, though. Do you know what to do about that?

I wouldn't worry about the existing gap filler if it is solid; it is completely cured now so I don't think will keep at it enough to get anything off. If it is crumbling or you want it off anyway the first things I would consider are chisels and files or a dremel if you have one.

 

[Joey and dolly]

I've read course steel wool and expanding foam works, but haven't tried it myself.

the chickens will eat the expanding foam but the steel wool should be a good idea.

 

[Joey and dolly]

I would try filling the lower gap with a piece of a wooden shim screwed to the existing wood framing if it just one spot. If there is similar gap at every post, I might not fix them. Instead, spend some of that time beefing up a hardware cloth apron - getting it gap free, well secured, and so on.

I can't see the upper gap. Looks like you have a leak where the skylight panel meets the steel roof panel, though. Do you know what to do about that?

I wouldn't worry about the existing gap filler if it is solid; it is completely cured now so I don't think will keep at it enough to get anything off. If it is crumbling or you want it off anyway the first things I would consider are chisels and files or a dremel if you have one.

exactly what i was going to say

 

[mowin]

the chickens will eat the expanding foam but the steel wool should be a good idea.

I definitely wouldn't use it on lower area's, but on the roof line should be ok.

 

[CFLRanching]

This is my thought on your floor area. Even with a brick foundation, rats are tunnelers, and it looks to me like your floor is dirt. My first thought is 1/2" gauge or 1/4" gauge hardware cloth laid out and butted up to the brick and bent into a 90 degree angle where it meets to form a little ledge, unless you could somehow push the hardware cloth right under the existing brick, as long as they can't wedge through under and between the brick and hardware cloth. I would do this across the whole floor, and add a new layer of dirt right ontop of that possibly where is meets up to the brick, in a few places put a heavy item (rock or stepping stones every so many feet right next to the brick) then the dirt over it.

What do the exterior parts of the eaves look like where the outer wall meets the roof? Is there a gap? If you didn't want to do expanding foam you could do hardware cloth on the outside (unless it's metal all the way on the exterior, and I don't think anything would be able to climb that (a snake might be able to use their stomach contractions to get a grip and get up, if there is anything to grip to). If it's not open and there isn't any gap on the exterior I would fix the leak by the skylight and not worry about the edge gap at the top).

For your spot on the floor by the foundation (where you think the were coming in). Fold up some pieces of hardware cloth (scraps) and fill the hole with those, then take a thick 2 x 4 piece of wood (cut to whatever size you need for that area)and lay it over the newly filled gap and cover the filling and screw to existing wood foundation. Then use several self tapping screw on the outside and screw the wall to the new piece of wood. They shouldn't be able to chew through the hardware cloth scraps, and if you screw the outside back this should also prevent any entrance.

Good luck with it. Looks like a cozy place to raise so birds.

 

[raingarden]

I've read course steel wool and expanding foam works, but haven't tried it myself.

Also, metal window screen crumpled up and packed into the gaps.