our girls are only 3 weeks old so we haven't built the coop and run yet. we do know that there are plenty of opposum in our neighborhood. I've been reading through a lot of the posts here, especially the ones dealing with opposum. But I've noticed a pattern --- no one EVER mentions what their coop/run is like, whether it has a wire top or no top; whether the villians clawed their way underneath, whether they have a coop door or what....so, I didn't really get a lot of info from the posts. Just people saying "get a trap" or "I hit it with a shovel". How to opposum-proof our run/coop before we start building? thanks. Greg
Hi there and congratulations on your upcoming arrival. I just built my coop and run. What I learned is that I read the posts and freaked out about raccoon/opossum invasions. So, that being said....I put 1" x 1/2" welded wire along the entire bottom of my run all the way to the 2 x4's running along the sides of the run. I then drilled a 1 x 4 on top of the stapled wire so those buggers can't pull out the staples. Just remember they will yank the welded wire and pull the staples out. If you screw on a board on top of the board the wire is stapled to, then you should be fine. As long as you have covered the staples. I ran that same wire along the sides of the run. Also, I put a 14" skirt of welded wire around the perimeter of the run. I don't want them even digging around the run, even though the bottom is covered. Cover all the wire with dirt, and if possible place the wire inside and outside the run, about 10-12 inches underground. Cover all window openings with the same stuff. I have a metal roof but not sure I would recommend it. It has the corrugated arches and quite frankly i think something possibly could slip through the little arches. I would just do an actual composite roof and wire off all the openings along the top. coop......use your best judgement. I would have very few windows, just maybe some openings for ventilation, but wire off all those openings. Get latches that are an effort for even you to open as those racoons are very crafty. I hope this helps. Just remember use welded wire....not chicken wire. Chicken wire is no obstacle for coons. Let me know how it goes....post some pics when your done of your ladies in their new abode. Happy hammering!
Also, I know you said opossums in the hood, but if you can keep a raccoon, then that will most likely suffice for an opossum. Raccoons are usually even a little craftier.
Hey greenguys! I have a run made from chain-link dog kennel panels. I've wrapped the bottom 2-3 feet with chicken wire so the girls can't stick their heads through the chain link. I do have a roof on the run to keep out hawks, raccoons, possums, etc. - it is another chain-link panel connected to the top of the run. This seems to work well for me. Good luck with your peeps!!
heres my coop/run setup: it is a dog run i got from lowes i put 1ft x 1ft cement walking pavers around the run and coop also put chicken fence along the bottom of the run about 2ft hight so nothing can put their paws in and grab a chicken in the coop it has a wood floor so nothing can dig into it. And there is a door on the coop i lock at night along with the run door i lock hope this helps any other ?s just ask in this pic i dont have the pavers all the way done or the chicken fencing attached to the run but its done now! And the top of the run is covered with a sunshade which is a pretty thick canvas material that is made for that dog run works great bought at lowes also
