I didn't use hardware cloth.

[PirateGirl]

We had to cover our run from ground based predators. We have fox bobcats along with all the other racoons possums etc. we do have hawks in the area and I’m sure the cover has helped against them as well. A fairly cheep 50x50 net covers the run nicely. I am surprised but it lasted all winter. Before the net we lost five birds in three weeks after the net we haven’t lost one. Since the cover I’ve also added electric fence at six and 24 inches. not the best looking run but if we don’t lose hens ..... building a second run in the same manor, this way we can rotate the hens over different areas.
The hillside is now better used with the chickens using it not me rolling the lawnmower ever time I try to mow!

I saw a few kinda of netting at the store the other day, deer netting and bird netting. I'm wondering if the plastic gets deteriorated by the UV quickly or not?

 

[Ursuline Chick]

I didn't cage my run at all. I have to lock my coop every night though. My run is just a big area with 4ft fence. The chickens come and go as they please.

We do the same thing, but with a 7 ft fence in most areas, one area has a 4 ft fence and the hens fly over it , graze for a little while and come back in the fence. It has not been a problem so far and you can always clip a wing if they are wandering all over.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

This thread is of great interest to me as I'm building my first coop right now. The coop is on a concrete slab so I don't have to worry about anything digging in and they'll be locked up at night. My issue is that I really don't want to cover the run. The run will really be to keep the birds out of the rest of the yard, more than to keep things out. I'm in the metro area of Colorado so also have all manner of hawks, owls, coyotes, raccoons, foxes, skunks, etc. Again, as the chickens will be locked up at night, my only real concern is hawks or early owls.

As I build my coop, I take the birds outside everyday and they hang out in a cheapy PVC and bird netting (the cheapest I could find) run that only serves the purpose of keeping them where I can see them. Literally as I was reading through this thread today, I looked outside to see a hawk sitting on the ground outside the temporary run looking at the ducks and chicks. Fortunately it didn't try anything because it could get through that bird netting in a second.

Anyway, my planned run area has a bush right in the middle of it that prevents me from effectively covering the run without greatly reducing the available space for the flock. In addition, it is in a sloped portion of my yard that I didn't really know what else to do with anyway. I'm under the impression that a bush to hide under is not good enough, but I'm not sure what else I can do without changing my entire plan. Mostly I want to be able to walk around in the area and not have it looked like a prison yard with fence everywhere. I could pretty easily do a series of staggered roofs with corrugated steel that birds of prey wouldn't be able to see through with the idea of out of sight, out of mind. i assume that a hawk won't ONLY get birds from an areal attack, and if they have to walk in from the side, they'll still wreck havoc on the flock. Thoughts? I assume most answers will be variations of "suck it up butter cup and cover your flock."

Hiding places and a good roo have worked well for us in the past. Now that we don't and can't have a roo we have hawks that site on our fence and eyeball my hens, I usually make strange noises and they move on. Can't do anything more, but my run is a large part of my backyard and the hens do occasionally take a walk to the front yard on their own. We have not had a loss from a hawk to date. Mine hide well and have lots of places to hide in.

 

[BirdieChickenLady]

I know I'm using 1/4 inch hardware cloth along the bottom 3 ft. I might even do so on both sides. I'm considering rolling the excess out do if climbing they will hit it half way up. A friend of mine also made a prototype coyote roller which I'm thinking about putting a couple inches out from the top all the way around do if they grab it(which they would have too) it would roll and they would fall backwards.

Just a couple ideas I'm tossing around here. I have t found a solid material to use around the bottom as of yet, so they can't reach in period.

What is a coyote roll? I'm new here and will try not to drive all of you crazy with questions!

 

[PirateGirl]

https://coloradocoyoterollers.com/

There are ways to make them yourself as well, but essentially a piece of pipe or something on the top of your fence that rolls/rotates so that if a dog/coyote jumps and puts it's feet on it can't get a grip and scale the fence.

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

Hey, I have coyote's as well..and I regularly go out and "mark the territory" all along my fence row! I also go by the local beauty shop and the nice lady gives me bags of human hair that she would otherwise throw away. I stuff that hair into pantyhose and tie it to fence posts as well. I didn't feel too manly buying pantyhose, but hey my chickens are worth it!

You may find kids nylon knee-highs a much cheaper alternative....and...you can pass off the purchase as you're buying them for your daughter/niece/granddaughter etc.

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

Haven't noticed that but it does give meat birds a nice salty taste. Figured it's same as a good brine soak.
It also gives feathers a nice healthy shine as well as gets the dirt off. Caution white birds may get some discoloration.
Doesn't do much for waterfowl feathers. You know the old saying " like piss off a ducks back"
Great for comb frost bite relief, cures scaly mites and another tool for teaching cockerels to stay out of your space and who's the boss. Advise using caution with older roosters unless you're into below the belt piercings.
Roosters usually learn respect pretty quick. If one wants to test boundaries just put your thumb into your belt or bailing twine and almost always they'll back down. If not give em a good squirt until they squat for you.
Only one dominate cock round here.

I'm having some serious bipper envy... We ladies miss out on all this fun and creative pee stuff...

 

[Ursuline Chick]

@KikisGirls suggested peeing in a bucket and pouring around the fence line. I thought it was a great idea, though a little more trouble.

 

[The Moonshiner]

I'm having some serious bipper envy... We ladies miss out on all this fun and creative pee stuff...

Ha
You just need an adaptor kit....

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

Ha
You just need an adaptor kit....
View attachment 1337256

Oh....My....God!!!!!

This is how THAT would go...

"Mr Coyote, hang on a second...I have to affix my strap-on-pee-dispenser thingy so I can pee on you...one moment please..." **insert Jeopardy tune here** Oh damn, I peed on myself!