I think I'm secure, but wanting a second opinion PICS

[theFox]

Quote:
LoL

Wanna see them pick up a 60lb bag of cement!!!

There is a huge difference between moving something and picking something up.

 

[theFox]

I have no idea about the size of your arrangement but to prevent the possibility of the unit being tipped (yes as in outhouse type tipping of years gone by, or cow tipping that sometimes happens still) you should attach it to the structure behind it.

A relatively small force being exerted at the top might result in the unit being tipped.

 

[matimeo]

There's no way it could tip. The coop itself was barely moved by two large men, then the run was attached, making it quite permanent. I should also clarify that the first layer of pavers is pinned under the coop and couldn't be moved.

Since some of you have posted, I've thought maybe I could strengthen the arrangement by using some mortar and cementing together the paver stones. I'd like to put hardware cloth down, but its gonna be a little hard, since the first set of pavers can no longer be moved (without a ton of effort). I can't imagine a raccoon digging down and under 20" of cement. I've seen people with 1' hardware cloth aprons that they seemed comfortable with. Any thoughts on this idea?

 

[Lbrad7]

Quote:
Great advice! I think if you follow gryeyes advice you will be reasonably secure.

 

[matimeo]

This is what I ended up doing. I didn't want to mess with trying to get wire underneath the run, since the coop would be almost impossible to move at this point.

You can see that I used mortar to cement all of the stone pavers together. In total they extend a little over 16" outward. The soil is actually quite hard underneath the first inch and has lots of roots. I honestly can't imagine any raccoon digging a two foot tunnel to get into the run. And even if he did, he couldn't get in the coop. I can see a coon digging under a fence, but not an outright tunnel for that far. The first row of stones is pinned under the coop, and now that the others are connected, none of them can be moved.

Seems like I've read that most animals will abandon digging if they are unable to dig at the edge of the area they are trying to enter.

 

[Gypsi]

Definition of addiction: you need more and more to get the same effect, and you continue to use in spite of painful consequences.
My drug of choice: chickens

Best tag line I've ever read...

 

[chkn]

I was going to say use a 4x4 green treat base but then I see you've concreted <never mind>.

 

[MMPoultryFarms]

You are seriously forgetting a few things first off Hardware cloth the bottom of the cage it isnt just coons and Opossums you need to fear rats also. A coon has fingers just like a human and usually he has all night to do his deed I coon doesnt give up he will test the water till he realizes theres no gain. as for the morter a rat can easly bypass all that and chew right threw your chickens num nums.

Dont forget all the angles when predatoring a coop and dont ever under estimate a racoon there fingers are almost identical to ours and they will dig under objects if the treat is good enough for the work. I probably kill 3-5 coons a night sitting on my dam since theres only small puddles in the pond and theres big fish trying to live in those they gather there for feed times at night. anyhow the small predators can be just as deadly.