I see all these run pics of 2X4s and hardware cloth. It looks like they aren't burying the edges. I worry about raccoons and plan on hardware cloth tied to tposts. I was planning on digging down 10-12 inches to be safe. Thoughts?
DIGGING IS A PAIN IN THE REAR!!!! I got advice from someone about digging, since I couldn't go very deep due to tree roots. They told me to attach a foot wide strip of welded wire along the perimeter of the run on the ground, since predators always dig right at the fence line and if the welded wire is on the ground they can't dig. I'll post a pic in a minute. it's much simpler than trying to dig a foot into the ground for the whole perimeter of the fence!!!
CJean knows of what she speaks! I decided to bury heavy chicken wire about six inches all underneath the run, and bring it up on the sides to attach to the PT wood at the bottom. What a chore!! The area is not large as runs go, 14x5 ft. trench... but I was out in the 90+ degree weather yesterday doing it all. After a few hours, I felt a little ill. Went inside and felt better 30 minutes later. So I went outside for another few hours. Anyway, I've got about another hour to finish it up Monday morning. So happy to have some good work to look forward to tomorrow. I got sun burnt (I'm fair/blond) and a little scratched from the chicken wire; I'd show photos, but I don't want to upset Joe Bryant, again. He seemed a bit worried about someone's scratched legs while she was working with hardware cloth. Carla
Hardware cloth and welded wire are essentially the same thing. I bury sometimes, I don't others. Mostly I curve the cloth outwards and lay boards on top. Then I hold it all down with heavy cement blocks, pavers, rocks, or a combo. Seems to be working so far and we have many predators where I am. Keep in mind, I don't recommend not burying cloth. I would rather do it that way, but this time of year, the ground is so flippin hard, there is just no way. We also have LOTS of volcanic rocks in the way!
I did a quick google search & came up with lots of hits: Try this one. http://www.doityourself.com/invt/4444576
Okay, here are some pics. I didn't want to cut individual wires to attach the strip of wire to my run, so I used the loose ends from the wire to attach it. You can see it in the second pic how there are loose ends that I slid under the run fence and twisted. Hope this helps!!!