Predator Proofing

[CluckyDreams]

What are your best tips for making a coop/run predator proof. We plan on getting chickens in the next two years and are doing our research. I live in Montana. The area we live in has bears, mountain lion, coyote, foxes, hawks, and your run of the mill ground rodents.

I am thinking I will need the run enclosed both on top and bottom (how do I do the bottom?) I know it's not good for the bottom of their cage to be wire, do I bury it?

Also, I don't think chicken wire will keep out mountain lions. Do I double fence it?

Any plans or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[dennin7418]

If you are really concerned about the larger predators you'll probably have to consider an electric fence as a first line of defense. You say within the next 2 years...thats a lot of planning. How many birds are you thinking about getting will help understand what kind of facility you'll need.

 

[CluckyDreams]

Thanks for your response.

We are currently looking at property on which to build, that's why the large time frame. I can't have them at my current house, so for now just planning. I imagine we will have less than a dozen chickens, so nothing huge. I am just trying to get ideas at this point. Thanks.

 

[hemet dennis]

Electric fence and a good dog.