Need help with predator proofing

[Rainbowdahling]

Hey all, I'm rather new to chickens, I have 16 between the ages of 4 and 8 weeks. They're in their coop right now, but we've built a chicken tunnel and a run and I could use some suggestions on predator proofing.
For the coop, there are two windows and a ventilation hatch. I'm planning on adding hardware cloth over the wire on the ventilation hatch since the holes there are pretty large. Should I put hardware cloth over the windows on the outside? They do have screens.
What sort of latch would work where the nesting boxes are located? The door just lifts up, my kids can both open and I've read that if a small child can open something then so can a raccoon.
My run is one I'd bought on Amazon knowing it would require extra work to make predator proof since it just comes with chicken wire. Should I cover the whole thing with hardware cloth? Or just the bottom panels? And what's the best way to do an apron? I feel like an apron will be easier for me to do rather than making my husband do the digging.
The run door is super concerning to me since it has such a large gap around the whole thing. How the heck do I fix that?
I live in Northern Kentucky, and I have for sure seen skunks and rats in the last few months.

Thank you in advance for your advice!!

 

[Alagirl]

buy a bunch of 1/2x1/4 hardware cloth, AKA cage wire.
That stuff is a bear to work with, I am confident it is quite sturdy.
The 1/4x1/4 is much softer

 

[WIchickMama]

Yes hardware cloth on the windows.

Yes an apron, about 18-24 inches out and secure down

I personally would wrap the whole run in hardware cloth, but not everyone does and some only go a few ft high. This will depend on how safe you want your run.

As far as the door to the run, can you take it off and frame it? This would help with the gaps.

 

[Rainbowdahling]

buy a bunch of 1/2x1/4 hardware cloth, AKA cage wire.
That stuff is a bear to work with, I am confident it is quite sturdy.
The 1/4x1/4 is much softer

Yes I went and bought all the hardware cloth they had at Rural King today.

 

[Rainbowdahling]

Yes hardware cloth on the windows.

Yes an apron, about 18-24 inches out and secure down

I personally would wrap the whole run in hardware cloth, but not everyone does and some only go a few ft high. This will depend on how safe you want your run.

As far as the door to the run, can you take it off and frame it? This would help with the gaps.

How would you recommend attaching the hardwire cloth to the frame?
And what do you mean by taking off the door and framing it?

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
Your coop is cute, but there's not enough ventilation, and all openings need to be covered with hardware cloth, very well secured. Is there a big window in the door, I'm assuming it's on the back wall. It's too late to do big roof overhangs, which would work better to keep rain out of the windows. you could have 'awnings' over them, something like that.
Think locks on those doors!
The run will keep hawks out, but not rats, weasels, or possibly big strong dogs. And again, hardware cloth! And a dig proof apron.
As it is, the birds will have to be locked in every night, because that run is not that safe.
How big is the coop? At least four sq. ft. per bird inside, and that's actually pretty tight.
Predator proofing can't be overdone, as many of us have learned the very hard way.
Electric fencing around the coop and run helps keep many land predators out too.
Mary

 

[WIchickMama]

How would you recommend attaching the hardwire cloth to the frame?
And what do you mean by taking off the door and framing it?

Attaching the hardware cloth to the frame if the run for the apron and up? Zip ties would be my suggestion but I don't have a run like that so I can give previous experience advice.


Yes, take the door off, make a wood frame and reattach. You might have to add wood to the run for attaching. Again my run isn't wire piping so no real life experience advice, just thoughts on what I would do

 

[ChicksnMore]

How would you recommend attaching the hardwire cloth to the frame?
And what do you mean by taking off the door and framing it?

Rebar wire works great for attaching hardware cloth to metal frames. It's strong, durable and inexpensive.

 

[rosemarythyme]

For the most protection (vs things short of a bear) hardware cloth on any opening larger than 1/2". If budget is an issue and you're mainly concerned about raccoons reaching in, then hardware cloth up the bottom few feet of the run only.

For the coop, any doors/hatches that open should have a 2 part latch, like a hasp with a carabiner, or a latch that locks shut (i.e. padlock).

Very good visual of an apron install here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

You have a couple of options with the door. I use hardware cloth on the frame and the door so that when it closes, the layers of hardware cloth sandwich on top of each other:

A similar effect would be the one described here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...der-2020-version.1529488/page-7#post-25809665 Or you could fill the gaps with wood as previously mentioned.

 

[Rainbowdahling]

Welcome!
Your coop is cute, but there's not enough ventilation, and all openings need to be covered with hardware cloth, very well secured. Is there a big window in the door, I'm assuming it's on the back wall. It's too late to do big roof overhangs, which would work better to keep rain out of the windows. you could have 'awnings' over them, something like that.
Think locks on those doors!
The run will keep hawks out, but not rats, weasels, or possibly big strong dogs. And again, hardware cloth! And a dig proof apron.
As it is, the birds will have to be locked in every night, because that run is not that safe.
How big is the coop? At least four sq. ft. per bird inside, and that's actually pretty tight.
Predator proofing can't be overdone, as many of us have learned the very hard way.
Electric fencing around the coop and run helps keep many land predators out too.
Mary

Yes I've been reading up on it and realized there's not enough ventilation, nor is it high enough come winter. Planning on adding some up high when time permits. No, just the two windows and the hatch.
The coop is 6x6, I'm planning on adding another, probably building when it gets cooler.
Thank you for all the tips.