How to predator proof existing run.

[Akachicklil]

Hello Folks,

I bought a chicken run with roof and door. It is 10' L x 12.5' W x 6.4' H… the wiring is PVC coated hexagonal wire mesh which I think is basically chicken wire. I plan to place my coop inside of this run so my little ladies can have freedom to play and dance. My question is how on earth do I predator proof this? Most runs are not made using hardware cloth wire. Will I need to put this all over the chicken wire? Below are a few photos of the run I ordered. This is not mine.

Thank you!

 

[swamphiker]

In order to completely predator proof that run, you would need to add hardware wire to most of the outside (at least the walls) and bury wire as well for any digging predators.

Many folks choose not to predator-proof their entire run, myself included. I have a large run made from welded wire and fencing with no top, a small run made out of hardware cloth in case I need to keep them more confined, plus the coop. My run has lots of bushes and things to hide under instead of netting on top.

 

[Akachicklil]

In order to completely predator proof that run, you would need to add hardware wire to most of the outside (at least the walls) and bury wire as well for any digging predators.

Many folks choose not to predator-proof their entire run, myself included. I have a large run made from welded wire and fencing with no top, a small run made out of hardware cloth in case I need to keep them more confined, plus the coop. My run has lots of bushes and things to hide under instead of netting on top.

Nice!

 

[Akachicklil]

In order to completely predator proof that run, you would need to add hardware wire to most of the outside (at least the walls) and bury wire as well for any digging predators.

Many folks choose not to predator-proof their entire run, myself included. I have a large run made from welded wire and fencing with no top, a small run made out of hardware cloth in case I need to keep them more confined, plus the coop. My run has lots of bushes and things to hide under instead of netting on top.

Thank you!

 

[Lauravonsmurf]

Okay adventures in predator proofing

Some critters will dig under… so I learned to put bricks around pens… best is brick floor at least where house is… buggers can’t dig in anymore!

Fencing… yep the critters looking for take out can reach through chain link or even chicken wire and pull sleeping chicken heads through and chomp decapitated chickens… prevents critters (including chicks) squeezing in and out. I always have chickens that hate houses… so they are the most vulnerable to this sort of thing.

Boards, wood, metal, what ever closer to ground level so it’s a wall along side of fencing, additional smaller wire. Put Perches in the middle of the pen, do not run side to side connecting to fencing… instead put it between two something’s (bricks, wood logs, milk crates)… you want the perches away from sides so again chicken head does not get pulled through while they sleep.

Housing, if this is part of the defense, doors that can be closed after they roost in house… tighter closure the better… rats and snakes only need an inch clearance. Bigger things can get in. I thought we where good but most recently a raccoon proved he could unlatch the door got in and killed a lot of my birds! He trapped himself (door latched behind him) but he wiped out our whole breeding program… we are having to start over.

Hawks and Owls, death from above… so be aware of them… and they are bold enough to land outside a coop or house that is covered but door open and walk in the door (seen video footage of them doing it). I know they will land in my yard and try to trick any free ranging chickens into coming out of hiding.

Dogs will climb over fences not just dig under, had that happen a few times… watched the dog do it.

People… in 2021 the media here had the suburbanites all worked up over food supply issues with Egg and Meat. I came home from work one day to discover most of our flock stollen, only our most antisocial (might actually attack a stranger), flighty, panicky birds where left… They stole my beloved first hens from when I could finally start keeping chickens again, the EEs in my my profile picture, we had them for a very long time. Locks on outside gates to larger yard now… I put screening up and then grew vines on the side of the big enclosed chicken area that can be seen from street… camouflaging where my coops and houses are is now a thing making them look like garden not chickens…

I hope something here is useful… I am building new steel pens this spring.

 

[mowin]

Looks like it's vinal coated chain link fence, which it rather sturdy, but doesn't protect from predators reaching in. The minimum I'd do is 3' up the run with HC, and a apron 18” out.
Personally, I'd wrap the entire thing with HC. Would stop the digging, reaching, and the flying predators.

 

[Lauravonsmurf]

Also putting house up on stilts helps prevent snakes getting into nesting house area…

 

[Krugerrand]

Also putting house up on stilts helps prevent snakes getting into nesting house area…

prevents? perhaps deters.

 

[Lauravonsmurf]

Well deter… yeah the slitherers can climb… the predators are many.

 

[swamphiker]

Also putting house up on stilts helps prevent snakes getting into nesting house area…

My coop is elevated but we have still had snakes, most species are very good climbers. Hardware wire works better.