Preventing Digging Animals from getting in

[RoxBox615]

HI All,
We are new to this and trying to figure out the best solution to prevent digging animals from getting into the coop. We have a lot of moles, voles, and other various hole dwelling animals.

My husband thinks the best way is to put a concrete foundation about 8 inches deep around the outside of the coop. I have searched on this site to see what everybody else does. I see the skirt is suggested, but I don't know if that will prevent the animals that are already underground from getting in.

Is the concrete foundation a decent plan? Is 8 inches deep enough?

My husband is a contractor so can pretty much make anything that would make it safer for our chickens. Our chicken coop plan is a 6x14' run with a 4x6' henhouse on the second floor. The chickens will be let out into our fenced backyard most days for at least a few hours when the dogs are inside.

Thanks for any and all suggestions!

 

[Firekin1]

If your henhouse is built off the ground small rodents are usually not an issue. They dont pose any huge threats to your chickens themselves, my chickens for that matter kill them. However if you have predators that dig, like weasels, mink, fox, coyote, (rats will steal eggs but usually dont bother with chickens) ect, fencing your run with welded wire mesh with holes no more than 1" and burying it at least 2 feet in the ground is a good idea. I have mine buried 2 feet down and 3 feet out, so if they try to dig in they just get fence. The welded wire is also difficult to chew through, unlike your basic chicken wire which rats can easily chew through.