Predator proofing new coop

[Unswydd]

Well the rain finally stopped and I am able to dig. I dug a trench around 3/4 of the coop and reenforced all the hardware cloth with 1/4 in. Now I'm not sure if I need to do the back because the coop is dug into a slope. What do you think?

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'm hoping now that the staples hold. There are 2 layers of hardware cloth, one inside and one outside. It took me all day yesterday to cut it and get it on. I could screw on some lumber tho to help hold it.

Don't rely on hope. Sandwich some wood over the ends or use screws with fender washers to make sure the wire stays secured in place.

 

[Birdsong 82]

And I thought I might suggest using something else to attach the hardware cloth to the sides of the run. Right now it looks like Staples and I've known people who had raccoons able to rip the hardware cloth right off the top of staples right out. The best thing I've ever used for that is fencing nails Or taking a 1 x 2 or 2 x 4 and screwing it on the other side to kind of sandwich in the hardware cloth

 

[Unswydd]

I vote wood over the wire. It is very secure that way. The big fender washers end up costing about the sane as the amount of wood you would need anyway.

I just finished re-digging a wider trench, added concrete and bought some wood to screw in over the hardware cloth. Can't do another thing today tho. I'm spent. I'll get the wood on tomorrow and finish filling in the trench with the dirt I took out. Thinking of planting some marigolds around. May as well.
I really appreciate all the advice today it helped me a lot!

 

[Unswydd]

Here are the photos

 

[Birdsong 82]

And I would do all sides regardless of the slope. It's amazing what some of the smaller predators can accomplish. Really really amazing. I've gotten to the point where I put a hardware cloth skirt around my coop and around my run even though the coop is inside of the predator proof run I take no chances

 

[SandyRiverChick]

How cute! I hear you with digging has it's limits. Can you dump a few bags of quick set concrete around in the trench you dug? It's worked for me when I can't dig super deep. So then in essence the barrier is as deep as the wire will go but also it's wide (as wide as your trench.) Seems to stop all of the little paws and such from digging. 10years, no issues here. Just an idea....

 

[Unswydd]

How cute! I hear you with digging has it's limits. Can you dump a few bags of quick set concrete around in the trench you dug? It's worked for me when I can't dig super deep. So then in essence the barrier is as deep as the wire will go but also it's wide (as wide as your trench.) Seems to stop all of the little paws and such from digging. 10years, no issues here. Just an idea....

What a brilliant idea!!!! I just happen to have some in the shed!!! WOOOHOOO! I LOVE IT! THANK YOU! You have probably saved me and my girls!

 

[21hens-incharge]

I vote wood over the wire. It is very secure that way. The big fender washers end up costing about the sane as the amount of wood you would need anyway.

 

[Birdsong 82]

You were off to a pretty awesome start and adding the suggestions is exhausting but so rewarding. Boast and post pics of continued progress. Your doing great!