shadowfox
Songster
As I'm planning my coop and run I want to make sure it is predator proof. I have some ideas, but don't know how well they will work, so I'm looking for some input. Feel free to direct me to other threads that are applicable. I'm sure they are out there, I just don't know how exactly to find them, though I have done some looking around. Also, any other advise on building the coop and run would be appreciated.
First off, the predators that I know about in my area are raccoons, hawks, and we've seen snakes in our yard this summer. There are dogs in the neighborhood, but our back yard is well fenced already. I've heard of bobcats in a neighborhood about a mile or so south of us. Again, my yard is well fenced (6'-7' high), so I don't know that it would be a concern.
I'm including a couple of pictures that will hopefully aid in my explanations. The first picture is the site where the coop and run will be. The second picture is from my landscaping plan to show the general layout.
The tree in this pic is the peach tree from the layout. The sour cherry hasn't been planted yet.
I want to build my coop and use the ground as the floor as it is very sandy and I think it will make overall maintenance easier. The coop will be 8' x 6' with the run extending from two sides (coop being in one corner). To keep predators out of the coop and run from the bottom, I am planning on using a wire apron buried 6 - 12" under the ground and 18 - 24" horizontally. I'll use 1/4" or 1/2" hardware cloth for the fencing. Any reason to with one size over the other? I'll put in a door/gate so I can get in. I know I need to use a raccoon proof lock on the gate. To cover the run, would I be ok using aviary netting or do I need to go heavier duty with hardware cloth again? The brick wall in the picture is only about 4 1/2' high. I will add a couple extra courses of brick to it where the run will be so it will be at least 6' high.
For the coop, I'll be using 4' siding or OSB for the exterior. I want to have the walls 6' - 7' high with the upper 2 - 3' open and covered with hardware cloth. I'm assuming that if I seal the edges tight enough I won't have to worry about anything getting in. I'll have a door that opens from the coop into the run. I figure that will add a double layer of protection around the doorway to have it open into the run. As I mentioned, I will do a wire apron around the coop at the exterior corner where the run isn't surrounding it. Should I have the apron continue all the way around the coop just as an extra precaution? I'm not planning on pouring any concrete for the coop to be on. I'll secure the apron to the bottom edge of the coop.
I've read that raising the coop off the ground is ideal for predator protection. Is this really necessary? Honestly, it sounds like it would take a lot more work in building the coop to elevate it.
First off, the predators that I know about in my area are raccoons, hawks, and we've seen snakes in our yard this summer. There are dogs in the neighborhood, but our back yard is well fenced already. I've heard of bobcats in a neighborhood about a mile or so south of us. Again, my yard is well fenced (6'-7' high), so I don't know that it would be a concern.
I'm including a couple of pictures that will hopefully aid in my explanations. The first picture is the site where the coop and run will be. The second picture is from my landscaping plan to show the general layout.
The tree in this pic is the peach tree from the layout. The sour cherry hasn't been planted yet.
I want to build my coop and use the ground as the floor as it is very sandy and I think it will make overall maintenance easier. The coop will be 8' x 6' with the run extending from two sides (coop being in one corner). To keep predators out of the coop and run from the bottom, I am planning on using a wire apron buried 6 - 12" under the ground and 18 - 24" horizontally. I'll use 1/4" or 1/2" hardware cloth for the fencing. Any reason to with one size over the other? I'll put in a door/gate so I can get in. I know I need to use a raccoon proof lock on the gate. To cover the run, would I be ok using aviary netting or do I need to go heavier duty with hardware cloth again? The brick wall in the picture is only about 4 1/2' high. I will add a couple extra courses of brick to it where the run will be so it will be at least 6' high.
For the coop, I'll be using 4' siding or OSB for the exterior. I want to have the walls 6' - 7' high with the upper 2 - 3' open and covered with hardware cloth. I'm assuming that if I seal the edges tight enough I won't have to worry about anything getting in. I'll have a door that opens from the coop into the run. I figure that will add a double layer of protection around the doorway to have it open into the run. As I mentioned, I will do a wire apron around the coop at the exterior corner where the run isn't surrounding it. Should I have the apron continue all the way around the coop just as an extra precaution? I'm not planning on pouring any concrete for the coop to be on. I'll secure the apron to the bottom edge of the coop.
I've read that raising the coop off the ground is ideal for predator protection. Is this really necessary? Honestly, it sounds like it would take a lot more work in building the coop to elevate it.