I have hard rocky clay soil. Will predators still bury under fencing in this type of soil?

[whitehorsetrue]

Basically that’s the question. Not sure if burying fence to keep out burrowing predators is still critical considering I have hard clay rocky soil?

 

[CluckerFamily]

When a predator wants something, they will dig under or even climb the fencing if the pen isn’t covered.

 

[aart]

Basically that’s the question. Not sure if burying fence to keep out burrowing predators is still critical considering I have hard clay rocky soil?

They might still dig thru @whitehorsetrue
You can lay an anti-dig apron on top of ground.

Good examples of anti-dig apron installation.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wire-around-coop.1110498/#post-17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

 

[DobieLover]

I'm on top of a hill with very rocky, clay heavy soil. There will be predators that will dig at the perimeter to try to access your chickens.
I installed a predator apron. Very effective and much easier than trying to bury fencing vertically.

 

[whitehorsetrue]

That’s a neat idea and consideration. Thanks. How large is that apron ? I have six feet tall of galvanized one inch hexagonal wire fence. Don’t really need it that tall and I do plan on covering the run with fence or hawk proof netting. Do you think it would work if I clipped down flat 18 inches or so of that fence as a perimeter apron?

 

[DobieLover]

That’s a neat idea and consideration. Thanks. How large is that apron ? I have six feet tall of galvanized one inch hexagonal wire fence. Don’t really need it that tall and I do plan on covering the run with fence or hawk proof netting. Do you think it would work if I clipped down flat 18 inches or so of that fence as a perimeter apron?

I'd rip it into 2' strips. You need to be able to bend it to strongly attach to the base of the coop and run so it lays tight to the ground. Then use HD landscape pins to hold down the outer edge. You can then fill it level to the top of the fencing with soil and seed it. You mow right over the top of the apron.

 

[whitehorsetrue]

I'd rip it into 2' strips. You need to be able to bend it to strongly attach to the base of the coop and run so it lays tight to the ground. Then use HD landscape pins to hold down the outer edge. You can then fill it level to the top of the fencing with soil and seed it. You mow right over the top of the apron.

Ok got it. Just to clarify, I am
enclosing two hobby coops inside a fenced run, so I will be using the apron on and around the fencing. Probably doesn’t change anything you advised, however but just mentioning in case.

 

[DobieLover]

Ok got it. Just to clarify, I am
enclosing two hobby coops inside a fenced run, so I will be using the apron on and around the fencing. Probably doesn’t change anything you advised, however but just mentioning in case.

Apply the apron to keep digging predators out of the chickens area. I have it around the entire coop and run.