Ideas for predator-proofing bottom of run?

[TytoAlba]

I'm planning a run that will have a perimeter of 96 fet and it seems like too much work to dig a trench around that entire length and bury hardware cloth. Not to mention that it will eventually rust. Does anyone have any new or clever ideas for predator-proofing the bottom of the run?

 

[aart]

Anti dig apron.
I laid mine right on top of the ground and the grass grew up thru it, can mow over it in most places but tore it up in a few places with the mower. I would recommend burying it a few inches.

advanced search>titles only>anti dig apron

Corner mesh is out of scale in this graphic, but don't forget the corners!

 

[JanetS]

We buried 12" patio stones sideway all around the coop and run. It's a lot of work but we live in a area with lots of predators.

 

[TytoAlba]

I wonder if just placing 12" pavers around would work? I've read that predators don't like to back up, dig, and crawl under. Or could a raccoon or coyote just get a 12" paver out of the way?

 

[aart]

We buried 12" patio stones sideway all around the coop and run. It's a lot of work but we live in a area with lots of predators.

Is this showing the pavers before they were covered back up/backfilled on the left....and covered on the right?

 

[rp844]

here I have 3 rows deep of edging pavers then a 6x6 on top,

here the 6x6 is in place and back filled, I attached the hardware cloth to the 6x6 and also about a foot across the ground 2" deep. This was around my 8x12' coop

I used these 8"x16" pavers stood up on end with a 6x6 on top for going around my 32'x12' run. an animal would have to dig 20" just to get to the bottom of the pavers.

 

[TytoAlba]

I just can't bear to dig 96 feet of trench! That's a lot of work. I was hoping for some easy answer, but I guess you get what you pay for!

 

[aart]

I just can't bear to dig 96 feet of trench! That's a lot of work. I was hoping for some easy answer, but I guess you get what you pay for!

Psssst...go with an apron.

 

[dheltzel]

Anti dig apron.
I laid mine right on top of the ground and the grass grew up thru it, can mow over it in most places but tore it up in a few places with the mower. I would recommend burying it a few inches.

advanced search>titles only>anti dig apron

Corner mesh is out of scale in this graphic, but don't forget the corners!

X2 on this! Forget all that digging, it adds no value. I have been using 2x4 welded wire aprons, 2 ft wide around all my pens, permanent and portable for several years and no predators have been able to get into those pens.

Think about it, the sooner the predator hits a barrier, the better. I would keep working at a hole I had to spend an hour digging, but if I hit something on the first try, I will likely move somewhere else. After trying all the places and finding wire, they will give up and go eat a wild rabbit or squirrel.

 

[TytoAlba]

That might be the answer. And maybe I wouldn't have to dig so much as rake an inch or so of dirt and put it back on top.