Need some help and opinions, please

[Mrs.ChickChick]

We have a 6 foot high wood privacy fence in part of our yard, and the chicken coop run backs up to it.

Coop is done. Run is sorta done. Here's a pic.

Gonna run hardware cloth around bottom of chain link fence. Now my question is: what to do around the wooden fence? It is not on our property line, but about 10 feet in from it.

I know the hardware cloth is probably the best thing to use, but I don't want to have the neighbors see what I'm doing when I dig on the outside of the fence to lay the hardware cloth. Even if I use an apron, it will still show. What else can I do to make the run more secure and keep it on the "down low"?

Was thinking of cement blocks all around the outside of the fence, and I could fill with dirt and plant flowers in them. Would this be secure enough to deter big dogs? We have some problem dogs running loose sometimes in the neighborhood.

Anyone got any ideas? I've thought about it, and I'm stuck. This needs to get done, but can't move forward til I have a plan!

 

[Gwen]

Why don't you want the neighbor to know what you're doing?

And why are big dogs permitted to run loose?!?!

If you plant flowers in the blocks, you'll have to keep them watered, which might be a bother. Otherwise I think it sounds okay. (And attractive too.) But I also wonder if a big dog that was determined enough to dig under that fence could also move the block with little problem.

 

[cobrien]

Maybe you could just run the hardware cloth above the existing soil/grass and use strong stakes to hold it down. I would think that would be secure against predators, especially when grass/plants grow through it. I have something like this around my coop although I can't say it has been tested by dogs trying to break in. electric fences can help, too.

Since it is not covered, are you locking it at night? I also live in a place with loose dogs but think it would be a very probability that a dog would dig under during the day. I would be mostly worried about hawks and raccoons.
Colleen

 

[Mrs.ChickChick]

Quote:
There are rules against owning "livestock" here in my small rural town. However, most of you can agree that chickens don't qualify in our minds as "livestock" but more like pets. Hence I don't want the neighbors to see me and start asking questions, or worse yet, snooping around.

Big dogs (or any dogs) are NOT permitted to run loose, but they do sometimes. Simple as that. There's quite often dog poo in our backyard that's not our dog's. Really nice when you step in it.

Maybe you could just run the hardware cloth above the existing soil/grass and use strong stakes to hold it down.

Colleen, are you saying run it on the INSIDE of the fence? Hmm. I'll think about that.
They get locked in their coop at night (very secure) and we've put bird netting over the top of the run since this pic was taken. But I'm worried about daytime predators digging in while they're out in the run.​

 

[kathyinmo]

What about rock around the fenceline? Decorator rocks, all sorts of colors are available. Pile them up about 8 inches, and come out from the fence a foot. Would that work? Could actually use gravel (which is much cheaper!).

 

[Mrs.ChickChick]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Any more?

I like the rock idea, but it is too expensive.

 

[StupidBird]

Dig the perimeter out as planned, add fencing skirt, and plant perennials - tell your neighbors its to keep the squirrels, chipmunks and moles (whatever plagues your neighborhood) from digging / eating your plants. Some pretty yet thorny little bushes such as purple barberry (dwarf type), old-fashioned roses, black berries, raspberries, gooseberries... don't know your climate or zone. Multi-purpose! Yay!
good luck.
Dogs aren't allowed loose here either, but it is a reality none the less.

 

[patandchickens]

One option would be to dig down vertically under the fence as deep as you can without loosening the fenceposts, and bury a vertical piece of the strongest heaviest-gauge mesh you can find (as long as it is smaller than 4x4" mesh). The problem is that many dogs will happily dig down a foot and a half or 2', and you are going to have trouble getting your mesh buried to that depth without weakening the fence (and it would be a whole lot of work).

You can put a wire apron in without alerting the neighbors, I think. First, one option would be to explain it as "I saw a loose dog sniffing around the bottom of the fence and am afraid he will dig in to get my Fluffy". Would that make any sense in your situation?

An apron of reasonably large sized mesh, like heavy gauge 2x4" welded wire, is not very visible thru grass if it is well pinned down. You could have it go underneath the wooden fence and screwed thru a 2x4 batten on the other side (so it is sandwiched between batten and the bottom of your fence), then use landscape pins or cheap metal tent pegs to secure it against the ground. Bend the free edge down slightly so it doesn't catch feet or the lawnmower. Once the grass grows up thru it it will be nearly invisible.

Or, as someone suggested, make a narrow (like 2-3') "flowerbed" along the outside of the fence -- it can be mostly mulch, you don't have to go berserk planting it -- in which you 'happen to' conceal a wire apron installed as described above. A layer of mulch will conceal it. You can plant annuals thru the holes in 2x4" mesh, or if you need bigger planting holes you can just snip them out with a wirecutter.

Good luck,

Pat