Question about run with trees

[chickenn@@b]

DH and I are researching/planning for chickens and have decided to use an existing 10'x15' dog pen for the coop and run. The biggest issue I'm having is that there is a huge oak tree growing in it and I'm worried about possums or racoons coming down the tree into the pen. Is it something to worry about? I don't see a lot of racoons but I regularly see possums in the yard. Should I attempt to cover it in hardwire and attach it to the tree? Thanks for any help! I"m really enjoying my research here on the site

I already feel addicted and I don't even have any chickens yet!

 

[ll]

Wow your 1st post, welcome~! This is a great site for info =agrees=

I found this photo ~ you can include the tree

 

[swampcat]

I would cover the opening up to the tree, not just leave it open. But then again, if there is no other tree nearby this one, how would a possum or raccoon get up the tree in the first place?

 

[chickenn@@b]

Quote:
Good point LOL but there are close trees. I don't know if they're close enough for an animal to move over or not. I'm pretty sure the squirrels jump in that one from another tree though.

 

[crj]

chickenn@@b :

DH and I are researching/planning for chickens and have decided to use an existing 10'x15' dog pen for the coop and run. The biggest issue I'm having is that there is a huge oak tree growing in it and I'm worried about possums or racoons coming down the tree into the pen. Is it something to worry about? I don't see a lot of racoons but I regularly see possums in the yard. Should I attempt to cover it in hardwire and attach it to the tree? Thanks for any help! I"m really enjoying my research here on the site

I already feel addicted and I don't even have any chickens yet!

I would like to say Welcome. As for the tree I would put some kind of wire around the top of your pen. I have a tree inside the pen of my ducks. I had to cover the top of this pen recently and I just attached the wire to the tree. It wasn't to bad.​

 

[stubbornhill]

Is your coop going to be predator proof? Just thinking that as long as you are going to lock your chickens in at night and the coop is predator proof, on the off chance that a possom might jump from one tree to the next you should be fine.

 

[creekrats]

I have two trees in my run. The DH covered the top of the run in chicken wire and has it secured around both trees. I wouldn't leave a hole.

 

[Lollipop]

Quote:
I would cover the hole with wire and attach it to the tree also. The wire can even be 2X4 welded or anything tough enough that a coon can`t tear through. Don`t underestimate them. As for how the possum or coon would get there without a tree nearby, they would mearly climb right up the side of the run. No problem.........Pop

 

[chickenn@@b]

Yes my plan was to make the coop predator proof. I just don't want anything getting into the pen just in case. The possums around here are horrible. I know I'm going to have to wrap most of the pen in the 1/2" wire to keep anything from squeezing through the fencing. I figured if I didn't cover the entire pen, they would just climb the fence and hop in.

 

[Lollipop]

chickenn@@b :

Yes my plan was to make the coop predator proof. I just don't want anything getting into the pen just in case. The possums around here are horrible. I know I'm going to have to wrap most of the pen in the 1/2" wire to keep anything from squeezing through the fencing. I figured if I didn't cover the entire pen, they would just climb the fence and hop in.

And you would be right.......Pop​