Looking to utelize a 10'x10' dog kennel....

[Iowa Roo Mom]

So with the recent damage to my coop, I am looking at making some spring upgrades. I have a 10x10 galvenized steel dog kennel that I want to turn into the run, much like this one:

I'm adding hardwire cloth, of course, but my question is, what would be the best way to protect the bottom. I can't bury it 18" down, and adding a concrete "floor" is not feasable at this point. So, any other suggestions to keep the kids safe?

 

[happyhensny]

Couple of options: stack rocks around the perimeter, big rocks, bricks, concrete blocks, as high and deep as possible or attach a fencing/hardware cloth skirt to the kennel and bent outwards at the ground as least 2 ft out. Good luck!

PS We use rocks - works fine.

 

[Crazyland]

I have that as a containment pen. I have most of the bottom covered in cement tiles and a small patch is open near the center. It is also under my carport so it is protected from rain. I put branches through it to make roosts. The dogs stayed out and the birds stayed in.

Now we have a "proper" coop and they free range during the day. But once my little ones are old enough they will be moving out into the 10x10.

 

[teach1rusl]

The wire skirting would probably be simplist...

 

[happyhensny]

Our property has loads of rocks - they are free...

 

[CoyoteMagic]

ooooooooooooooooo I like that one!!

I have a 10x10 and working on a 10x20. Both of them have a skirt of a foot & half of chicken wire covered with about 3 inches of mulch (plus the grass, weeds and roots from nearby bushes have grown through it) I lay it right next to the kennel and then attach it every foot with hog rings. I've had nothing other than a black snake get in. (He came through the chainlink 4ft up). I put 2x4 welded wire over the top of mine too.

 

[Iowa Roo Mom]

Quote:
It used to be Diesel's old kennel, but he lives inside now so he said I could hand it down to the chickens

I was trying to envision the skirt, and how I would attach it. Thanks for the ideas! I think it's going to turn out pretty nice once it's all said and done.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

I got some willow cutting and stuck it throw the mulch and wire. As it grows I'm going to weave it into a living fence for shade and such around the kennel. I love mine. I got them both of Freecycle for nothing!!

 

[kryptoniteqhs]

Its a mess right now, but it works! I'll have to post pics when Im done with it, but this can give you an idea. I still plan to enclose it more. I already have some nice new nesting boxes in there that arent pictured. We also have installed electric to it since then & Im going to continue to re-do the floor. It will be Crusher Run with sand on top.

eta: this one is the only pic that i have that really shows the roof....its sheet metal with every other one being the clear plastic kind so they can get sunlight

 

[TcherDawn]

Here is my "apron" around my dog kennel. Our kennel is a 10x10, but we attached it to the back of our barn, so it is a 10x20 now.