Moat vs tunnel

[kproffer]

I’m planning to add a chicken moat or tunnel around my garden, trying to decide which to go with. Can anyone advise why one would be better than the other? If the moat is the recommended 5-6’ wide and high do the chickens fly out? What about foxes or hawks getting in? Do tunnels pose any issue being inaccessible?

 

[aart]

I've never had either, but find them intriguing.
I've read that they can greatly reduce garden pests.
As an equipment designer, and 9 year chicken keeper, I'd want total access to any enclosure.
So a moat(larger than a tunnel) with a mesh 'roof' would be my choice.

 

[AnnPann]

I’d think you’d have better luck with garden pest reduction by just letting them in your garden. Bugs don’t stick to the perimeter of your garden. I was concerned about my flock destroying everything, but the are surprisingly considerate. Even sticking to running down the paths when returning to their run. LOL. They steal a few low hanging cherry tomatoes or blackberries and maybe nibble a few leaves I’d prefer they leave alone. But I let them have an hour or 2 every evening in my 50x80 garden and have no regrets. I just plant enough extra knowing i’ll lose some stuff to them. It’s a small price to pay for all the bugs they eat, including every last japanese beetle last month. Then again, my garden is not going to win any prizes, but I’m Ok with that. Just something to consider before going to the trouble of a tunnel or moat.

 

[kproffer]

A tunnel would probably be easier. Look into chicken chunnels.

I have, but most of what I’ve found is theorizing or first day of installation. Nobody seems to follow up on how well it’s working or what they wish they had done differently. I was hoping that someone would share that experience

 

[Krugerrand]

@affacat built a chicken moat using cattle panel:

Planning stages
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/2-hoop-coop-cattle-panel-questions.1449809/post-24126282

Finished product:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/2-hoop-coop-cattle-panel-questions.1449809/post-25657573

It's a long thread, but there's some good reading in there.

 

[affacat]

I have, but most of what I’ve found is theorizing or first day of installation. Nobody seems to follow up on how well it’s working or what they wish they had done differently. I was hoping that someone would share that experience

Read the thread linked by @Krugerrand ... I need to post some general updates and latest photos but i am more than happy to answer questions in the meantime.

 

[aart]

need to post some general updates and latest photos

That would be great!

 

[kproffer]

I'm not sure what to call it, but I would go with something big enough for you to walk comfortably in, because you will probably have to go into that space on occasion.

Also, I would make it at least 3 or 4 feet wide, so chickens can easily walk past each other without feeling too crowded or getting bullied too much. I've seen some photos of tunnels that only look about a foot wide, and I don't think that would work very well for the chickens.


Some chickens will fly over a 5' or 6' fence, but many will stay in. They are more likely to go out if they are scared or being chased, or if there is a nice board at the top so they can fly up and stand for a bit before they go down on the other side.

Yes, foxes or hawks could get in if there is no roof. Netting would probably keep hawks out. I don't know whether netting on the top would stop a fox or not (the fox might not be able to sit comfortably for long enough to rip through.) Sturdy wire mesh would certainly keep both out.

A tunnel (or any other space you cannot get to) does pose some issues. It can work fine most of the time, but every now and then you need to catch a chicken who wanted to sleep outside, collect an egg that was laid in the wrong place, pick up a piece of trash that blew in, or something of the sort. Then you can find yourself crawling on your knees in chicken droppings or mud, or trying to reach in with a rake that isn't quite long enough, or some other inconvenient workaround.

Good points. Do you use a run or a moat yourself? Foxes are the main predator we have right now so we definitely need something secure. I don't understand how people with the open top, double fence moat construction make it work long term. Maybe they don't... Maybe that's why I can't find any follow up posts on these blogs that promote them. Definitely don't want to have to deconstruct tunnels or crawl through poo! The cattle panel suggestion is looking better and better!

 

[Tookie]

A tunnel would probably be easier. Look into chicken chunnels.

 

[affacat]

@affacat built a chicken moat using cattle panel:

Planning stages
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/2-hoop-coop-cattle-panel-questions.1449809/post-24126282

Finished product:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/2-hoop-coop-cattle-panel-questions.1449809/post-25657573

It's a long thread, but there's some good reading in there.

Oh I need to add some new pics and some info dumps on best strategies. My 3rd building is up (a turkey shed). One more building to go, completing the most, but I need to build a fort for my kids first.

The short version is I love the way I did my hoops though. Long, yet easy to build, sturdy, relatively cheap, etc.