Little extra security

[deldeer]

Dug around the run to install some 1/2" hardware cloth to help prevent digging from raccoons and foxes, this is the same method we use to secure people property from wildlife intrusion (minus the oak planks).

 

[aart]

Nice mesh apron!
Lose the planks, they may dig under at the outer edge of those and end up under the mesh apron.

 

[deldeer]

good point on planks, never thought about that, but after doing hundreds of these exclusions for work I've never had a breech.

 

[imnukensc]

What size wire is on the run? I like it.

 

[aart]

good point on planks, never thought about that, but after doing hundreds of these exclusions for work I've never had a breech.

Yeah, see, you knew you didn't need the planks.
Might put the planks on edge inside the run walls, to keep the birds from digging down and under the apron.

 

[Mrs. K]

this has worked well for me, and I left mine on the top of the ground. In my experience predators like to dig in a very tight U hole. By having the grass and weeds grow through the wire apron, and some boards on it to keep it in place, I have had very good luck.

 

[aart]

and some boards on it to keep it in place, I have had very good luck.

Curious, @Mrs. K , how far from run wall are the boards?
Have you seen any attempts at digging?

 

[Mrs. K]

The wire apron is out about a foot. And I just laid whatever on top of that to keep it flat on the ground, until the vegetation grew up through it. The weight was placed about 6 inches from the fence line.

My theory is that an animal might attempt to dig, but the wire will hurt his feet and move on. Before I did this, I had diggers, and they always came up to the fence line, and dug a very tight U. I have not had a digger into this set up.

I have had breaches in my security in this new set up, but they have always been through the top, we could tell by the trail of feathers. We have addressed that now... I hope.

Mrs K