Ideas for protecting gap below door from predators

[ThePigeonKid]

Yes that's how I do it.
I know it works because animals can't dig through wire
It's much easier to stop them at the surface than to waste time digging it in, and then having the animals dig that far to find it

Do you have proof that it work? Were animals getting in and when you put the “hardware cloth” down and then they stopped? Or are you assuming that it works just because nothings got in yet?


Thanks!

 

[joan1708]

Would cement stepping blocks work for you? lay the 12 x 18 inch ones just under the door. If you have strong predators that can lift them up they you could stake them down. 12 inch metal stakes hammered into the ground under the door at 1-2 inches apart would also stop diggers I think.

 

[jamband]

Use ground-contact pressure treated 2x12's. If you want to go deeper, stack another 2x6 or 2x8 on top of it.
Something like this.

I dont like pressure treated. but nice idea

 

[jamband]

It doesn't need to be attached to the door.

Open the door, and cut a piece of wire as wide as the opening, and long enough to extend a foot or two on each side
.
Remove just enough dirt so the area is level and lay the wire down flat.
Once it's laid out flat, cover it with the dirt you removed..

If there is a gap under the door, use a piece of treated lumber on the inside that fills the gap.
You should be able to attach the ends to the frame of the coop, and NOT to the door

When the door is shut it should be tight against the board

Depending on the height of the gap, you may be able to use a board laying flat like a threshold, but it will have to be level. and you will need to leave a small gap so the door won't bind

I know i can just lay it down........and I know a board would work but the other door needs to allow a mower to enter so a board doesn't work as well since it would get driven over....but I like for the duck side door.

 

[jamband]

Do you have proof that it work? Were animals getting in and when you put the “hardware cloth” down and then they stopped? Or are you assuming that it works just because nothings got in yet?


Thanks!

I have seen it recommended 1000 times and it makes total sense. They can't dig through wire and they dont grasp backing up 18 inches and then starting. They want to dig at the obstacle.

 

[ll]

Well ~ you could lay a perimeter of "tough stuff" around the whole thing.

Cement patio blocks
Bricks
Boulders
Logs/Railroad Ties/Telephone Poles

Something that would deter digging. I have 2ft x 12ft line of boulders against the back of ours with 2ft x 12ft of hardware cloth under all the boulders. In the front I laid another 2ft apron of hardware cloth with a 2-layer brick "walkway" on top. The wire under the brick path seems imo overdone because I ended up laying down 2 layers of bricks - but it's done... and nothing is digging under that.

Make it a good habit to occasionally check for digging marks.

This is what my husband cut for the gap under our doors:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/gallery/image/view/album/6139269/id/4835561/

 

[SacCityChickens]

I have 18" of hardware wire layed flat & burried all around the outside of the coop.
Good luck