Predator Proofing?

[DCS]

Hi all,

We are finally just about done with our 10x16" coop... except for the predator proofing. We live on 5 fully fenced acres, and the main predators I'm concerned about are racoons, possums, and, well, I don't want my border collies getting in.

I initially planned to dig a trench all the way around and bury a foot of hardware cloth... and it's dawning on me that with our sandy soils, that might not be enough. So then I thought I'd just dig around the inside, but either way, I'm stirring up the soil, which makes it easier to dig through. I am planning to use a dirt floor - we basically convered what was 4 posts and a roof into a 3 walled coop and I'd prefer to keep the dirt floor.

Anyway, I wonder if a better option wouldn't be to lay half-inch hardware cloth in the floor, fastened into the walls. It would sink into the dirt eventually and be topped with a lot of pine shavings.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[the1much]

from the outside of ya pen,, go 2 ft. out with hardware cloth ,, stretch out and stake down to the ground.

 

[Opa]

On mine I dug a trench 18" wide and 6" deep. Then 24" wire was bent to form L 6" 18" The wire is placed in the bottom of the trench and the 6" leg is nailed to the treated 2x4 that run the perimeter of the run at ground level. I then back filled. Next I ran a 2 hot wires 6" and 18" of the ground. So far so good.

 

[DCS]

So best to use hardware cloth? Or could I get away with an L shaped folded-over (double thickness) 12"down 6" over chicken wire?

Keep the ideas coming. I am just not sure what to expect from potential predators... although I will say that my dogs have been known to dig halfway to China. (They are being trained that chickens are off limits, but I'd rather not test them.)

Also, there's no electricity to the coop, and probably won't be, copper prices being how they are.

 

[Opa]

I used 2x4 welded wire

 

[DCS]

Really? That was what the walls were previously. I've got scads of it lying around. In that case... better to recycle, eh? But should I do it on the inside or the outside - there are fewer tree roots inside. Hm...

Thanks!

 

[the1much]

chicken wire even doubled up dont stand up to a coyote digging. if it held its shape it would work, but it dont

 

[Opa]

Outside would be better.

 

[#1California Chick]

Welcome to BYC!!!

You will find LOTS of advice here!!!

My opinion??? -- if you are trying to keep predators OUT of the coop/run, the buried wire should be OUTSIDE the coop/run!!! You don't want to give them ANY chance to get into the coop/run!!!

Cindy

 

[Renee]

I put mine across the floor of the run and attached it to the wood with those big square roofing nails. We have about three inches of sand over it. If something digs under the wood it will have a difficult time making the hole big enough to chew through the hardware cloth. It would probably be easier to chew through the wood on the henhouse!