Predator Proofing

[kle2684]

I'm new to the world of chickens and have five 2-3 week old pullets indoors right now. I am getting ready to set up their outdoor coop and am looking for advice on how to "predator proof" the coop. I have a premade coop. How far down do I bury wire around the edge? I've read about using hardwire wire, not chicken wire...what's the difference? Looking for any advice I can get!!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The difference is that raccoons laugh at chicken wire. They can't rip hardware cloth apart.

Easier and more effective than digging down to bury hardware cloth around the perimeter is to run a skirt out around the pen. Diggers will try at the fence. They don't know to back up. You can even use cheaper welded wire at about 1 or 2 inch opening.

 

[JadedPhoenix]

Just how is the pre-made coop made? Some are made to where a dog could easily get in if determined since the wood and wire are usually low-grade. I only put my pre-made coops that I bought as breeding coops inside a secure run.

For your skirt, make a two foot barrier; either downward or outward.

 

[kle2684]

The difference is that raccoons laugh at chicken wire. They can't rip hardware cloth apart.

Easier and more effective than digging down to bury hardware cloth around the perimeter is to run a skirt out around the pen. Diggers will try at the fence. They don't know to back up. You can even use cheaper welded wire at about 1 or 2 inch opening.

What do you mean by running a skirt?

 

[JadedPhoenix]

A skirt is the wire that extends either down from the coop or out from it. It keeps animals from digging under the coop to get in.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Just run wire out from the base of the pen. An inch under ground is quite effective.

 

[JadedPhoenix]

Just run wire out from the base of the pen. An inch under ground is quite effective.

You must have never had a dog or coon that wanted in. An inch will not deter an earthworm. Much less a hungry dog.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

An inch is more than sufficient if it extends out 2 or 3 feet from the bottom. They always dig down at the base of the fence. They hit the wire and don't know to back up 3 feet.

*Edited by Staff

 

[fuzzy8]

Like run it on a angle?

 

[JadedPhoenix]

Like run it on a angle?

Most do either straight down or out. No need to angle.