I am 3 years in, and I still don't have it right.

[triciayoung]

Welcome. Agree with @Shadrach. I converted a shed but my shed is up 18-inches and the bottom has 1/2 inch hardware cloth around the perimeter.

 

[Burnt Brass Homestead]

Hi @Louie81

Welcome!

 

[Tookie]

Hello, and welcome to BYC!
So sorry for all your losses. Good luck with your flock!

 

[Birdinhand]

Hardware cloth is your friend, the thick stuff, galvanized, wall to wall, ceiling and floor. No more than a half inch gap anywhere. Building above ground is a great idea. It’s a big investment of time but it makes having chickens so much more enjoyable!

 

[chrissynemetz]

Welcome to BYC! I'm sorry for all your losses. Good luck making your coop more predator proof.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Welcome to BYC @Louie81

 

[N F C]

Hello, you've received some good ideas from the other greeters...hope they help. Best wishes!

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

So sorry you are having trouble with predators. Predators dig so it's never a good idea to use a coop with no floor unless you build in stops. Buried railroad ties and building the coop on top is how I built all my quail aviaries and never has anything dug under. My chicken coop is buried down in the dirt with treated lumber over a foot deep, all edges buried in pea gravel and heavy rocks a foot out from the coop. Predators smell moving air, so if you stop air from moving with building materials and dirt, critters won't start digging. It sounds like you will need to redesign your coop to keep the marauders out. Good luck!

 

[sourland]

Good morning, and welcome to BYC.

 

[swampfox440]

Welcome to BYC!