Open Coop? Advice Needed

[rosemarythyme]

Here's that pic of the stones...
View attachment 1508646

Oh, those are quite a lot larger than what I envisioned (I thought more like chunky pebbles). Larger predators might still be able to push those aside though... I still feel wire would be a safer choice to surround a run with.

 

[RollTideChicken]

Oh, those are quite a lot larger than what I envisioned (I thought more like chunky pebbles). Larger predators might still be able to push those aside though... I still feel wire would be a safer choice to surround a run with.

I don't have to worry about large predators, my entire yard is fenced. I've only ever seen opossums and coon sign in my yard. I plan on going 12" deep and those stones are quite heavy. Coons and opossums shouldn't be able to shift them. We'll see...
Thanks for all the advice!
RTC
RTR

 

[RollTideChicken]

Ok so 3 months later...
Here's the not quite finished but totally livable kennel-coop

 

[aart]

Will you add smaller mesh for predator proofing?

 

[RollTideChicken]

Will you add smaller mesh for predator proofing?

What predator can get through 3x2 wire? Or do you mean around the chain link? If so, yea I plan to attach some wire to it all the way around. And the tarp will be replaced with metal.

 

[aart]

What predator can get through 3x2 wire? Or do you mean around the chain link?

Weasel family and other rodents.
Gaps at corners of doors are another area that caught my eye.

 

[RollTideChicken]

Weasel family and other rodents.
Gaps at corners of doors are another area that caught my eye.

Yea the door gaps forgot to mention those. Taking care of them today.
We don't really have any weasel family critters in my area. Opossums and coons are all I ever see, and if I do it's usually the last time I see'em. Heck we have more rabbits than anything. Ugh hate rabbits. I don't know how anyone keeps rodents out unless you do 100% wire mesh top to bottom and in my case that's financially outta reach. I'm trying to get everything finished by weeks end. I'll post more pics later, please continue to critique my pen. Predators have gotten in my coops before, so I know things can be overlooked.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I don't know how anyone keeps rodents out unless you do 100% wire mesh top to bottom and in my case that's financially outta reach.

Nice big space. Do wire mesh no larger than 1/2" around the bottom few feet (2', 3', etc whatever's within budget) and aproned out if possible, as that will help deter rodents from getting in. Yeah you might get some climbers but the ones in my area at least seem to prefer tunneling in.

 

[RollTideChicken]

Nice big space. Do wire mesh no larger than 1/2" around the bottom few feet (2', 3', etc whatever's within budget) and aproned out if possible, as that will help deter rodents from getting in. Yeah you might get some climbers but the ones in my area at least seem to prefer tunneling in.

Thanks! I'm pretty happy with it. My birds look absolutely tiny inside it. One more week and I can add my "teen" birds to it. Right now there are only 7 birds in it, boy are they pleased.