Predator proofing small coops

[Frazzled chicken tender]

I have 3 almost 2 month old chicks I’m keeping separate from my larger flock til they are larger. I’ve been putting them outside in a small coop I bought on Amazon during the day, and bringing them inside our garage at night. My husband is ready for them to go outside at night now. I’m trying to think of how to predator proof this small coop. I thought about putting hardware cloth (think that is what it’s called, like chicken fence but smaller holes) on ground and the coop on top of it. The hardware cloth would extend about a foot outside the coop as well. Then I could put concrete pavers on top of the outer perimeter of the cloth, surrounding the coop. And weigh down the roof of the nesting box area with concrete pavers. Does this seem adequate? Any further ideas appreciated.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I have 3 almost 2 month old chicks I’m keeping separate from my larger flock til they are larger. I’ve been putting them outside in a small coop I bought on Amazon during the day, and bringing them inside our garage at night. My husband is ready for them to go outside at night now. I’m trying to think of how to predator proof this small coop. I thought about putting hardware cloth (think that is what it’s called, like chicken fence but smaller holes) on ground and the coop on top of it. The hardware cloth would extend about a foot outside the coop as well. Then I could put concrete pavers on top of the outer perimeter of the cloth, surrounding the coop. And weigh down the roof of the nesting box area with concrete pavers. Does this seem adequate? Any further ideas appreciated.

Do you have a predator-proof run in which the big coop “lives ”? If so, just put the littles’ coop in the run.

 

[Airyaman]

Do you have a predator-proof run in which the big coop “lives ”? If so, just put the littlest’ coop in the run.

Yes, and that would also expose them to their future flock, no?

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Yes, and that would also expose them to their future flock, no?

True, hadn’t thought of that.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Unless you're planning to house them as a separate flock you should integrate them now before they get any bigger - was the "small coop" placed so they were able to get see but no touch time with the adult flock?

As far as the original question, I disagree with your plan. HWC on the floor can damage their feet and doesn't allow them to scratch as chickens like to do, and placing pavers over the extended HWC apron reduces the effectiveness of the apron.

 

[Frazzled chicken tender]

Do you have a predator-proof run in which the big coop “lives ”? If so, just put the littlest’ coop in the run.

I do…the big coop is attached to the run, not enclosed, and the flock stays in a fenced in area most of the time. I’m not sure the coop will fit through the run door, but I can try. Good option if it works, thank you!

 

[Frazzled chicken tender]

Unless you're planning to house them as a separate flock you should integrate them now before they get any bigger - was the "small coop" placed so they were able to get see but no touch time with the adult flock?

As far as the original question, I disagree with your plan. HWC on the floor can damage their feet and doesn't allow them to scratch as chickens like to do, and placing pavers over the extended HWC apron reduces the effectiveness of the apron.

They can see each other now, just can’t be in direct contact. I have them in an open area I let the flock out into for a portion of the day.
They are much smaller than the majority of the original flock, I have different breeds, and a few bantams. I had always read to let them get as big as possible so they stand a better chance?
I will forgo the hardware cloth for underneath the entire area. Also will rethink the pavers on top of the cloth just outside of the coop. Thank you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

They are much smaller than the majority of the original flock, I have different breeds, and a few bantams. I had always read to let them get as big as possible so they stand a better chance?

I have the complete opposite approach. When they're smaller they're also able to fit into small openings that adults cannot, so with the right set up you can take advantage of that.

Most of these chicks are 13 days old. They're small enough to easily fit under the fence. I let loose so they could visit the adults if they wanted, if they felt threatened they could just run back under the fence. They no longer fit at around 8 weeks so that's why I rush to get them integrated early.

More info about setting up for early integration: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/short-on-time-recycle-a-prefab-brooder.73985/

I will forgo the hardware cloth for underneath the entire area. Also will rethink the pavers on top of the cloth just outside of the coop. Thank you!

Best way to pin down an apron is with landscape staples. If you have grass that grows in the area, cut it as short as possible, lay down the apron and staple it down - when the grass grows back it'll do double duty to anchor it in place.

 

[Frazzled chicken tender]

I do…the big coop is attached to the run, not enclosed, and the flock stays in a fenced in area most of the time. I’m not sure the coop will fit through the run door, but I can try. Good option if it works, thank you!

I have the complete opposite approach. When they're smaller they're also able to fit into small openings that adults cannot, so with the right set up you can take advantage of that.

Most of these chicks are 13 days old. They're small enough to easily fit under the fence. I let loose so they could visit the adults if they wanted, if they felt threatened they could just run back under the fence. They no longer fit at around 8 weeks so that's why I rush to get them integrated early.
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More info about setting up for early integration: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/short-on-time-recycle-a-prefab-brooder.73985/


Best way to pin down an apron is with landscape staples. If you have grass that grows in the area, cut it as short as possible, lay down the apron and staple it down - when the grass grows back it'll do double duty to anchor it in place.

Your chicks are so cute in those pics, I can see how they could dash back through the fence if they needed to. I’m tempted to try soon with modified introductions. I could let only a few older ones out at a time to be around the chicks. Only issue is once chicks get out I’ll need to stay out with them til dusk in case they dont go back to coop or wander off. Not sure if that would work, just a thought.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Only issue is once chicks get out I’ll need to stay out with them til dusk in case they dont go back to coop or wander off. Not sure if that would work, just a thought.

Do the adults free range or are they confined to a run? If you have the chicks' small coop (or any other brooder) in the run and they've been housed in it for maybe a week or longer they should return to it at dusk on their own.

If free ranging that's probably a bit tougher, I don't let chicks leave the run 'til maybe 6-8 weeks old and they're already integrated with the adults so they'll mostly follow where the adults go.