Predator Proof Skirt/Run Floor

[Howard E]

There is a good lesson learned by the photo of that coon. Death is ALWAYS lurking and it is literally that close to the birds. But when they go to roost at night......they are safe. That needs to be ingrained into anyone who wants to raise chickens. At night......they are safe.......from all comers and no matter what.

 

[Nwygle93]

Yes! It is indeed. I believe I was chatting with you about my mink over-ran new house. My sister saw them at 2 in the AFTERNOON the other day! She said they climbed on top of the roof of the coop! My husband ran to get his gun, but by the time he got back they had jumped off the roof and got away. She said they were the biggest mink she's ever seen so I'm wondering now if they were weasels. I was just blown away they were brave enough to come during the day, with our dogs just out and everything...I don't think I can have free roaming chickens during the day after finding that out

 

[chickencheeper]

Yes! It is indeed. I believe I was chatting with you about my mink over-ran new house. My sister saw them at 2 in the AFTERNOON the other day! She said they climbed on top of the roof of the coop! My husband ran to get his gun, but by the time he got back they had jumped off the roof and got away. She said they were the biggest mink she's ever seen so I'm wondering now if they were weasels. I was just blown away they were brave enough to come during the day, with our dogs just out and everything...I don't think I can have free roaming chickens during the day after finding that out

Weasels are actually smaller than mink. If it was a large mink than it may have been a feral ranch mink, do you have mink/fur farms around you? Was it one of these:

 

[rosemarysugar]

I want to make my run as predator-proof as possible and know I need to do a skirt and/or trench and/or cover the floor with something. My question: Can I use the cheaper hog wire for this rather than the more expensive hardware cloth? The only predators I'm worried about in my suburban area are raccoons, opossums, dogs, and hawks. No snakes or weasels or anything that could dig and fit through the larger spaces. I have read that raccoons will grab through the larger holes and pull chickens out but they can't do that up through the ground, right? Like vampires punching through the layer of dirt covering the grave?

Note: I also plan to do deep litter so there will be an additional foot or so of material over whatever the floor covering is.

I made a brick pad and have the coop set on the brick. For hawks I use predator tape. The "streamer" is tied in strips around the area and is very reflective and the hawks can't focus in on what's down below.

 

[Nwygle93]

Weasels are actually smaller than mink. If it was a large mink than it may have been a feral ranch mink, do you have mink/fur farms around you? Was it one of these:View attachment 1295886

Wow, that's a scary thought! I certainly hope not. I just checked their range and it doesn't show that they live in Ohio...but you don't know who keeps things as pets then let them go. I'm also unaware of any fur farm in the area, but anything is possible.

 

[aart]

Weasels are actually smaller than mink.

There are 3 different sized weasels...one is as large as a mink.

 

[chickencheeper]

There are 3 different sized weasels...one is as large as a mink.

As far as I know there are 2 types: the long tail weasel and the short tail weasel. The mustiledae family(aka the weasel family) includes but is not limited to:

there are two types but one pic

 

[chickencheeper]

As far as I know there are 2 types: the long tail weasel and the short tail weasel. The mustiledae family(aka the weasel family) includes but is not limited to:View attachment 1296178View attachment 1296179View attachment 1296180View attachment 1296181there are two types but one picView attachment 1296182View attachment 1296183

Oops- sorry, I forgot the least weasel- you’re right

 

[PirateGirl]

Thank you for starting this thread, adding a skirt is an upgrade I plan on this summer. Unfortunately the animal I am most worried about digging in is probably the largest weasel of them all, the badger! I fear he can rip through any fencing I install

 

[aart]

Oops- sorry, I forgot the least weasel- you’re right

The 'least' can be the 'worst' as can they fit thru darn small hole.