Yes, the hardware cloth is attached to the base under the trim board. It is not anchored into the ground, but after the above picture was taken, we installed cross members to firm up the entire structure and to support the metal roof. You can kind of see the cross members in the picture below. The entire structure is quite solid!
Yes, I was quite concerned about predators when building our coop. It's not unusual to see foxes in our neighborhood, and although I've never seen a raccoon, I'm sure they are around. Not to mention all the hawks, copperheads and neighborhood cats! I dug a trench around the entire perimeter of the run and buried the hardware fabric. Our soil is heavy clay around here, so I was only able to dig down around 12 inches, so hopefully that was deep enough. I figured if I was having trouble digging in the rock-hard clay with a shovel, animal paws wouldn't get much further either!
Here's a picture:
In hindsight, I should have installed the hardware fabric in more of an "L" formation. Since it kind of curves out from the bottom edge of the run (rather than going straight down then out), when I shoveled the heavy soil back on and tamped it down, some of the fabric pulled off and needed to be reattached. To ensure this wouldn't continue to happen as the soil becomes more compressed around the coop, we installed 2X2 caps over the hardware fabric where it attaches to the run.
Here's a close-up picture of the caps:
As you noticed, I did put some pavers around the back side of the coop for added protection.
Hopefully, all this will keep our little cluckers safe!
More dedicated breeders are needed on the West Coast. I'm tired of only seeing East Coast or Midwest breeders. I mean there's nothing wrong with those areas but so many backyarders are springing up in CA that we need closer breeders. May I be nosey and ask what breeds you'all are contemplating on raising?My mom wouldn't have it that way trust me - the only predators we have to worry about are birds of prey and rats - maybe coon and possum - but I don't even know about that anymore- they had the acreage fenced off completely due to neighbor dogs , coyotes , deer keeping her dogs barking all nite
These are runs so far and yes on the completed ones there's tops now - this was before tops got added - we're planning on growing greens or I've been looking into Fodder possibly - with hawks and bald eagles she wanted the sets here to be well protected - esp since some are bantam in this set up- we're still tweaking it all in between time since I'll be moving to property next door here shortly- we're hoping by next yr we can start selling chicks since there's no one local that does -
Yep, we all gotta start somewhere but unfortunately most people just throw up something for the chicks that are on the way without securing the build. You have a sturdy framework but that poultry wire is not interlinked and predator claws/paws will mangle it and open a hole in it - happened to us. Hardwire 1/2 inch will keep out anything from small snakes and rats to large foxes, bobcats, or raccoons. Better to put the most expensive part of the build in 1/2 inch hardwire and if it isn't buried in the ground then put a paver stone, cinderblock, or property boulders around the entire base of the pen - it kept stray mutts from digging under our pen. Read my Post #5041 above re the growing problem of rural and city Raccoons.
This is our first one. 7'w x 12'l x 6'h. Repurposed dog house. I am already planning a rebuild of the coop, but just had to start somewhere.
My mother designed and had her "chicken barn" built - course my mother has different views on things and people think it's more a house than a barn needless to say chicken barn - I plan on doing something similar when I reach the point but definitely on same as what she envisioned
There's a insulated brood/hatch room
6 stalls - 4 10x10 and 2 12x12 - 1 12x12 is for her future mini goat- rest is all chicken
Workshop
Bathroom and shower
Tack/store room
Milk room
Not to mention foundation is 3 feet down, metal sheeting around base up 2 feet under panels- each stall is high grade wire top too- nothing can chew or get in unless doors left open all nite- she made sure her investment was protected lol
Yes, very nice!
Still working on inside of coop area but good start.
