Need some run advice

[matchead20]

Hey everyone! Longtime lurker, first time poster here. I searched the forums, but couldn't find any other posts similar to our situation.

So we've been working on turning this red building into a coop for awhile now. We could probably finish it up in one day if we really set our minds to it, but our next hurdle is the attached run. We've been free ranging since we started our flock 2 yrs ago, but thanks to predators, out of our 8 birds only 2 are left. Anyway, we originally thought about just putting up a fence between the two buildings, but I don't think that will keep the raccoons out and due to all the trees, I can't figure out how fully enclose it. There are a total of 6 big trees, plus the stump in the middle. Any suggestions on how to turn this area into a predator proof run?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You could run multiple strands of electric fencing around the outside perimeter, including the top.

 

[TalkALittle]

If raccoons are your primary threat, I don't see how you can make it work. Normally, you'd need to enclose the entire space in hardware cloth or welded wire on all sides including the top. But you've got trees that will interfere with that. Maybe you could do a welded wire top and run hot wire around every tree just above where it comes through the wire.

 

[aart]

Can you add run to the side of coop with the 3 windows?
You probably don't want to give up part of your yard, but.....
...building a secure run around all those trees would be very difficult to near impossible.

 

[lazy gardener]

I see lots of possibilities with this building. I agree with Aart that putting your run around the trees is problematic. Coons would use the trees as a highway to drop down into the run. And even if you put the run on the front, they can drop down onto the roof and then into the run. You will HAVE to cover the top of the run with impervious welded wire to have a safe fortress for your flock. I would build the run from the front where the 3 windows are.

Where is the people access to this building?

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Following

 

[WVduckchick]

If you still intend to free-range sometimes, maybe a small fortified run in front of the building, but a larger fenced area between the buildings could remain open?

I have trees in my runs, and have one covered with netting, just stapled the net to the tree. But aerial predators are more problem for me, not so much coons.

 

[bjmoose]

When do the racoons get to your chickens? Is it at night? Perhaps you could scale down your run to be a smaller one that you use for nighttime/evening/early morning security, and then open it up to let them free-range into the larger area during the day?

This may be a totally stupid idea. I'm just a FNG throwing ideas at you.

 

[matchead20]

You could run multiple strands of electric fencing around the outside perimeter, including the top.

I don't know really anything about electric fencing, but would that be a fire hazard around so much wood?

If raccoons are your primary threat, I don't see how you can make it work. Normally, you'd need to enclose the entire space in hardware cloth or welded wire on all sides including the top. But you've got trees that will interfere with that. Maybe you could do a welded wire top and run hot wire around every tree just above where it comes through the wire.

The main problem I see with hardware cloth or really anything on the top is that the trees move in the wind. Might be 1/4", might be 6", I have no clue. I just don't know how to accommodate for movement without leaving a huge gap between the wire and the trees. Even using some netting that's flexible, I would image that wouldn't be secure, plus the chance of it ripping if there's not enough slack. Ooo, maybe hardware cloth with a gap for movement and racoon guard like this on the trees? http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/species/graphics/raccoon7b.jpg

Can you add run to the side of coop with the 3 windows?
You probably don't want to give up part of your yard, but.....
...building a secure run around all those trees would be very difficult to near impossible.

Maybe. Didn't really want it on that side, but I'll have to think about it. The backside wouldn't be bad, but that would block the trail.

Where is the people access to this building?

It is on the side to the left of the windows. Which is one reason I don't love the idea of having the run on the window side. We'd have to go all the way around it to get inside.

If you still intend to free-range sometimes, maybe a small fortified run in front of the building, but a larger fenced area between the buildings could remain open?

I have trees in my runs, and have one covered with netting, just stapled the net to the tree. But aerial predators are more problem for me, not so much coons.

Not planning on free ranging anymore once the coop is complete. DF is sick of chicken poop on the porch and on his stuff in the garage.

When do the racoons get to your chickens? Is it at night? Perhaps you could scale down your run to be a smaller one that you use for nighttime/evening/early morning security, and then open it up to let them free-range into the larger area during the day?

This may be a totally stupid idea. I'm just a FNG throwing ideas at you.

Not stupid. Out of the 5 we have lost to predators (which we think most, if not all, were raccoons), 4 have disappeared or have been attacked during the day. The last one we lost at 4am, but that was only because DF forgot to close the bottom half of the green house door (which has been our temp coop).

 

[Arielle2]

If you have your heart on using the treed area, you can put on a top cover of wire fencing with some work. However.....

My free ranging birds prefer the open areas most of the time. The brush areas is a safety zone to sleep ( no, they skip the safety of the coop), shade and to avoid predators. With that in mind can you include both the open grassy area and the wooded, area or a portion of it.

My Birds locked up at night never get eaten. Just lock up the birds every night. Then let out into the run during the day. Coons are nocturnal. I never see them during the day unless he fell in a barrel---and then he is sleeping.....