Question about coop being safe from predators

[MackinAnnie]

Hey everyone!
First, happy Mother’s Day to all you amazing moms out there
I am a new chicken mama and looking for advice on whether or not my girls will be safe from predators. I built the extension run so they will have more room during the day, but plan to put them in their henhouse at nighttime and secure it. I bought the hardware wire which is more secure than regular chicken wire and put very heavy and large concrete bricks around the outside of the entire coop and run in hopes that nothing could dig under them or move them. My girls are just about 6 weeks old and will be going out overnight soon, so I want to make sure they are safe before they are out there alone at night!
I live in a neighborhood so the coop is on the smaller side, but I only have 3 girls and plan to let them free range often when I’m outside. I also have a dog who is outside a lot and LOVES the chicks (he is old and lets them lay on his back) and his scent is there as well. I’m hoping his mere scent with deter predators a little bit. He doesn’t sleep outside, though.
I’m attaching photos. Thank you in advance!

 

[DobieLover]

It's great that you built the extension for the run. Without that it would have been far too small. I would recommend that you remove the concrete paver blocks and instead install a 2 ft wide apron. Spread it out along the ground then securely attach it to the bottom of the framing. Pin the outside edges down with landscape pins and just allow the grass to grow back through. I would not place the blocks back on top of that as all it does is effectively shorten the width of the apron.
What are the hole sizes on that hardware cloth? Anything larger than 1/2 inch will allow the entry of rodents and weasels. Either of which can decimate your flock.
The double barrel bolts you have securing the doors are great. What do you have securing the door to the nest box area?

 

[Trish of the Coop]

Very nice! I have a similar set up (not nearly as aesthetic pleasing) to me it looks good. I cant see any openings that predators might get in. Keeping the food stored away from them and the coop clean is half the battle. Smells will draw predators so if you can keep that down that's half the battle. A quick Google search will also give you more ideas on the hardware for racoon proof latches of you arent comfortable with what you currently have. If you suspect anything is coming around a live trap set up on the other side of your yard could give you a sense of what's around too.

 

[MackinAnnie]

It's great that you built the extension for the run. Without that it would have been far too small. I would recommend that you remove the concrete paver blocks and instead install a 2 ft wide apron. Spread it out along the ground then securely attach it to the bottom of the framing. Pin the outside edges down with landscape pins and just allow the grass to grow back through. I would not place the blocks back on top of that as all it does is effectively shorten the width of the apron.
What are the hole sizes on that hardware cloth? Anything larger than 1/2 inch will allow the entry of rodents and weasels. Either of which can decimate your flock.
The double barrel bolts you have securing the doors are great. What do you have securing the door to the nest box area?

Thank you so much! That is such helpful information. the wire is 1/2 inch so it should be good. The nest box has a lock on it that even I sometimes have trouble opening haha so i don’t think that should be an issue.

 

[paintedChix]

I would also go back and use some type of wood protector on all your wood. Inside and out.
Your pre-fab coop w/ original run is CUTE, but won't hold up long w/o some help.

Agree that the newly built addition is good. Love how you've set it up with planters and flowers, very pretty. Do you also have herbs that are good for the chickens?

Where do you live? What type of weather do you get?

 

[MackinAnnie]

I would also go back and use some type of wood protector on all your wood. Inside and out.
Your pre-fab coop w/ original run is CUTE, but won't hold up long w/o some help.

Agree that the newly built addition is good. Love how you've set it up with planters and flowers, very pretty. Do you also have herbs that are good for the chickens?

Where do you live? What type of weather do you get?

Yes! I’ve already painted the entire coop with wet seal. Thank you! I planted marigolds, lavendar, mint and oregano. I read that they are all chicken safe.
I live in South Carolina so we gets lots of sunshine and great weather! Sometimes it gets very hot in the summertime, so I’m planning ahead and getting electrolytes for their water and researching how to keep them cool in the summer. At least half of their coop and run is always in the shade.

 

[DobieLover]

Yes! I’ve already painted the entire coop with wet seal. Thank you! I planted marigolds, lavendar, mint and oregano. I read that they are all chicken safe.
I live in South Carolina so we gets lots of sunshine and great weather! Sometimes it gets very hot in the summertime, so I’m planning ahead and getting electrolytes for their water and researching how to keep them cool in the summer. At least half of their coop and run is always in the shade.

I would go a step further and put a pitched solid roof on the original run section at least and install a perch in there for roosting. Once the predator apron is on, you won't have to lock them in the coop. This gives them the option to roost outside if they want to on hot summer nights.

 

[MackinAnnie]

I would go a step further and put a pitched solid roof on the original run section at least and install a perch in there for roosting. Once the predator apron is on, you won't have to lock them in the coop. This gives them the option to roost outside if they want to on hot summer nights.

That’s a great ide. They have a perch in there already but I am planning on adding another one. Thank you so much for your advice!

 

[TK421]

You’ve done a great job. The hardware cloth looks good and the latches are fine. raccoons will be able to move those pavers, so I recommend installing an apron of hardware cloth to the frame and then out 12-24”.

 

[MackinAnnie]

You’ve done a great job. The hardware cloth looks good and the latches are fine. raccoons will be able to move those pavers, so I recommend installing an apron of hardware cloth to the frame and then out 12-24”.

Thank you very much! After reading these replies, I am definitely going to install an apron around the exterior. Thanks everyone!! I really appreciate it.