Most cost effective way to keep out predators?

[sigmachigirl]

I am getting ready for the arrival of our hens in a few weeks, and am still struggling to figure out the most cost effective way to keep predators out. We live in urban Puget sound, and have two dogs and two cats that keep down the riff raff during the day. At night we plan on locking our girls up in their coop, but I'm still worried about keeping animals out of their enclosure. The enclosure will be approximately 4-5x10 feet, and about 7 feet tall, and roofed. The coop will be within the enclosure walls, and I will have a few access points to the coop for the eggs and etc from the outside of the enclosure/run. Our plan was to frame out 1/4 inch hardware cloth and surround the run. I am leaning towards the deep litter method for inside the run. But what would be the cheapest way to keep things from tunneling under at night? With our wet weather, a lot of metals rust out pretty quickly if left in contact with the soil.

 

[balbrt1]

We live in a rural Il. Several varmints around. Not sure how effective but we put up electric fence around our 30x30 run. Makes us feel a little saver..good luck

 

[sigmachigirl]

I'm not sure what it would take to put in an electrical fence... :-/ plus a little concerned as I have a 5 year old who will be helping me with the chickens. :-/. Are concrete footing or masonry blocks sufficient? Or is the concrete total overkill?

 

[Mr farmer]

my thought on this is drive stakes in the ground about a foot down and three inches apart all around the fenced part, that should keep them from digging under.

 

[aart]

Agree kids and hot wire not a good mix


19ga 1/2" x 1/2" HC is just as effective and cheaper and stronger.

Apron for deterring diggers. Probably cheaper and more effective in the long run to fencing for apron and have to replace every 3-4 year than to do concrete.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: Electric fence is not hard to install, and 5 year olds learn FAST not to touch it

Quote: Deep Litter is for inside the COOP.
The run should be sand

A simple wire apron will stop diggers

 

[sigmachigirl]

My coop will not be tall enough to do the deep litter method inside. I plan on fully covering the run with a roof. From what I have read, it sounded like that is what gets used so you don't clean the run weekly, but the fluff from the coop and leaves and new shavings go down over the droppings in the run. Am I wrong?

 

[aart]

I haven't read about a lot of people doing a deep litter out in the run, even a covered one, deep litter method is mostly used inside the coop where there is no added moisture other than poop.

Might depend on your location whether or not it would work.

Might try a search......advanced search>titles only> deep litter in run

I see a couple theads addressing that. If you don't find your answer there, try starting a new thread with 'deep litter in the run' as the title and you may get the info you seek.

 

[CrazyPetunias]

You could try using the metal fencing with a bottom skirt of cinderblocks or pavers. We have 2x 10 boards and 12" pavers surrounding our run to discourage digging. The raccoons will have to dig down and then over at least 18" if they hope to get in. So far none have tried.