How far in to put the hardware cloth?

[goodeggsforyou]

Hi Fellow Chicken Folks

We have completed our coop and are working on the run. We live in an area without snake issues so have been told by locals that weasels (sp?) are the only potential for digging beneath the run. We will surround the bottom part of the run with hardware cloth that we will bend on the external part of the bottom frame approximately 3 inches below ground and will cover that with soil/grass. (Hopefully this makes sense.)

My Question: How far out from the base do we need to extend the hardware cloth? Say, 18 inches??

I would Hugely appreciate any opinions or thoughts.

Thanks so very much!

 

[crazyhen]

At least 18 in. maybe 2 ft will be even better. Also cover this skirt with soil and sow in grass. I have a row of roses planted next to my skirt and it is all covered with mulch. Nothing has dug under so far.
As you see I am temp. without chicks. Mine were sick with MS this last winter and were culled. Then the clean up and repairs started. I figured it was a good time to work. I have been reworking some of my fencing as well. Good luck with your coop and hens.

Gloria Jean

 

[Katydid2011]

18" out seems like a good distance but I'd go deeper than three inches down, if possible, and I'd lay a base of rock and sand below the soil and sod. Our equivalent of thorny roses around the perimeter is electric wire. Zap!

 

[elmo]

You really don't need to dig down and bury wire for an apron to be effective. Extend the apron outwards flat on the ground 2 to 3 feet, stake it down with landscaping staples or anchor it with rocks. As long as the apron is securely fastened to the frame of your run, it will work. I bent the wire into an "L" shape and used staples and screws to attach to the run baseboards.