New Coop & Run - Predator Proofing Suggestions

[ABandC]

New here and new to chickens (in Central-Eastern Michigan, about 5 miles from the water). Just finished up most of the build for my coop and small run (still needs handles, locks and latches, etc). My girls will be mostly free range during the day, but shut into the coop at night.

My hope is to be able to go out of town for a few nights without needing someone to let them out in the morning and lock them in at night. Hence the run area attached to the chicken door. I would like to be able to leave the chicken door open all day/night when I'm out of town and make the run predator proof so they'll be okay. Right now I am planning to dig a foot down around the run and do bout a 1.5 foot long of hardware cloth around the run area. (1/2" 19 gauge as is the rest of the run and the roofed area that isn't sheet metal).

Will this be enough protection? Are there any other measures I should take to protect them? My main concern right now would be the possibility of minks/weasels as we are about 5 miles from the water...

Looking for suggestions/ideas to make this safer...

 

[cavemanrich]

Looks good.
Are you certain of minks, and weasels in your area?? Or being cautious because of the possibility??
The hardware cloth will keep them out. Weasels can be quite small,, so those may slip thru gaps in the doorway, or coop openings.
Look into the possible weasels in your area,, and then research how small of an opening they can squeeze thru. Mink are somewhat larger.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
We added 2"x4" woven wire fencing over the lower 4' of our roofed run area, because we worried about the day a big dog arrived to get inside. The hardware cloth and woven wire fencing are first stapled to the framing, and then 1"x4" boards are screwed over both layers to the framing.

Also think about snow load in winter! That flat roof may need more support, so you aren't out there at 2am in a blizzard clearing the roof.
Finally, is there more ventilation and windows in your coop? Hope so.
It is a really nice coop/ run set-up, a great start for your new chickens. Our current coop and roofed run is the third phase of our coop, over time.
Chickens are wonderful to have, enjoy!
Mary

 

[rosemarythyme]

I would like to be able to leave the chicken door open all day/night when I'm out of town and make the run predator proof so they'll be okay.

Another option that may help ease your mind would be an auto door. That way at least you'll know the birds are closed up in the coop at night, for a little extra protection.

 

[DSA]

We added 2"x4" woven wire fencing over the lower 4' of our roofed run area, because we worried about the day a big dog arrived to get inside. The hardware cloth and woven wire fencing are first stapled to the framing, and then 1"x4" boards are screwed over both layers to the framing.

Very necessary! I added the woven wire fence AFTER a dog got into my coop and killed a lot of birds I have learned from experience that hardware cloth alone won't stop a dog. Haven't had issues since I've added the woven wire fence.

 

[Folly's place]

And in bear country, very hot electric fencing is a necessary add-on.
Mary