New run flooring - is it safe?

[Yellowcoop1]

Hi, I am new here, just a couple of days. I'm doing all my research here and have found my coop design and run design. We are in the processing of clearing a large area behind our fence which has a lot of composted materials, little saplings of local fauna, decomposing sticks and logs. This is basically a small patch of forest. The coop will be put on a solid cleared base of some kind but the run floor can be more natural if you all think that is healthy for the chickens. What do you think. Is all this forest floor safe for chickens.

I forgot to mention that our 6 foot fence is being moved back 25 feet to accommodate an already built shed and the chickens home that will match (more safety in the fence, we have black bear here in Northern NJ)

 

[iwiw60]

Hi, I am new here, just a couple of days. I'm doing all my research here and have found my coop design and run design. We are in the processing of clearing a large area behind our fence which has a lot of composted materials, little saplings of local fauna, decomposing sticks and logs. This is basically a small patch of forest. The coop will be put on a solid cleared base of some kind but the run floor can be more natural if you all think that is healthy for the chickens. What do you think. Is all this forest floor safe for chickens.

I forgot to mention that our 6 foot fence is being moved back 25 feet to accommodate an already built shed and the chickens home that will match (more safety in the fence, we have black bear here in Northern NJ)

As you have known predators where you live, from possum, weasel, fox, raccoon on up to black bears, you will need to build both your coop and run area like Fort Knox...no kidding.

What type of wire are you planning on using?

With predators like weasel and raccoon just setting your coop on top of the dirt won't be an option. You'll need to have a sturdy floor and I would also recommend using 1/2" hardware cloth as an underlayment, too.

Give us a little more insight as to how you plan on your build and we can help you better...

 

[Yellowcoop1]

I unfortunately just typed a whole reply and lost it. So I'm just going to list exactly what I plan to do and feedback would be wonderful.

The coop will be on a rock layer and I plan on putting the hardware cloth half-inch 19 gauge underneath and on top of the floor in the coop with linoleum on top of that for ease of cleaning.

It is the run that will be on top of the forest floor which includes some composting leaves and small saplings, I also just finished clearing out that entire area today and left a 6ft tall bush/tree with all foliage removed and just multiple trunks less than 6 feet tall which they can roost on.

The entire run will be four by fours in the ground at key corners and two by fours to build the rest with the hardware cloth over it and on top securely closed at gaps and probably screwed/Stapled in other places. I also plan on putting the hardware cloth approximately 12 inches below the dirt angled out and buried.

I am definitely aware of the predators in my area. I see bears walk behind my fence on occasion. I have a 3,500 gallon koi pond in my back yard that has been visited by the dreaded NJ mink that have eaten my smaller fish in the winter.

From all the wonderful reading I have done on here I feel I can't go wrong as long as I pay attention to the details: proper ventilation without drafts. Securely locked doors & windows. Hardware cloth covering openings, etc...

I welcome any and all advice, everything will help. BTW, I got my coop plan off of a picture here. It's Wisco's coop plan which he modified from a plan listed on an agricultural web page (forgot which US State).

 

[Folly's place]

Consider a couple of strands of HOT electric tape around the run and coop. You have bears... Mary

 

[Yellowcoop1]

Yes we do. They have never considered entering our fenced backyard even with the waterfall of the pond (during hot dry days, or the smell of it, not that it smells, but a bear knows when there is fish around when it's hungry. The Woden fence is 6ft high and so is the black chain link in the back. Our dogs go right up to the fence bark at them and they tend to take the quickest route away. Of course that doesn't mean that if they were uber desperate they would get past the fence and dogs (they aren't out all the time). I was just looking at the link for electrifying the fence. My friend has hers done..

 

[Michael OShay]

As you have known predators where you live, from possum, weasel, fox, raccoon on up to black bears, you will need to build both your coop and run area like Fort Knox...no kidding.

What type of wire are you planning on using?

With predators like weasel and raccoon just setting your coop on top of the dirt won't be an option. You'll need to have a sturdy floor and I would also recommend using 1/2" hardware cloth as an underlayment, too.

Give us a little more insight as to how you plan on your build and we can help you better...

x2