Rat proofing - how deep to bury hardware cloth?

[DAttard]

We've had issues too, and skirting did not help. We ended up flooring the run / stapled on sides/interior with 1/4" hardware cloth then backfilling again.

 

[PimsGarden]

I don't have any anti-digging mesh that spreads out from the perimeter of the coop/run.

The rats were both digging from just outside the run, under the wood, then popping up right on the other side. But they were are also digging from directly underground where their burrow holes would show up in the middle of the run.

Might be a shot in the dark but if you know anyone or could find anyone with a terrier that hunts small game they could prob do some good work on the existing population while you work on other solutions for defense. Just a random idea.

Also if you find a rat snake, and aren't afraid of them, I like to carefully carry them to the coop area and set them free to do my rodent pest control hehe.

 

[PimsGarden]

We've had issues too, and skirting did not help. We ended up flooring the run / stapled on sides/interior with 1/4" hardware cloth then backfilling again.

This is prob the move tbh.

For future coop building, I built mine on 2ft legs with a ramp and that really helps keep out rodents. That and I never keep food in the coop, only at night do I place their feeder in the coop with them to not attract opossums etcetc from wanting to break into the run area. Then I'm the morning I put the feeder back outside when I let them out, might be a little extra but I don't want other animals to learn that breaking into the run might have a reward.

 

[8isenoughchickens]

Hi. I have a good sized coop and run for my 6 (soon to be 8!) girls. It's secure and predator proof. But I didn't take rat proofing fully into consideration when it was built.
The coop/run sits on dirt and this last spring we had a rat problem. It's under control now but I was thinking about making it rat proof byburying hardware cloth around the entire perimeter of the coop/run which is 8' x 22'.
How deep do I need to bury the hardware cloth down vertically to prevent them from digging underground and into the run?
Anything else I should consider?

Attached are a couple of photos.

I know this is not what you asked for, but rats come in because they are going after the feed. It will save you time and cost way less, to simply rat-proof the feed, by adding Cayenne pepper. Works amazingly well. Birds are immune to the heat it creates, but rodents can't stand it. Mix a little in with the feed. You'll be giving the birds extra nutrition from the pepper, without hurting them, and you will never have a rodent in the area again. Every time you replenish the feed, mix in more Cayenne pepper powder.

 

[cute fuzzy chicks]

Hi. I have a good sized coop and run for my 6 (soon to be 8!) girls. It's secure and predator proof. But I didn't take rat proofing fully into consideration when it was built.
The coop/run sits on dirt and this last spring we had a rat problem. It's under control now but I was thinking about making it rat proof byburying hardware cloth around the entire perimeter of the coop/run which is 8' x 22'.
How deep do I need to bury the hardware cloth down vertically to prevent them from digging underground and into the run?
Anything else I should consider?

Attached are a couple of photos.

I'd go at least 6".

 

[Saad4661]

Hi. I have a good sized coop and run for my 6 (soon to be 8!) girls. It's secure and predator proof. But I didn't take rat proofing fully into consideration when it was built.
The coop/run sits on dirt and this last spring we had a rat problem. It's under control now but I was thinking about making it rat proof byburying hardware cloth around the entire perimeter of the coop/run which is 8' x 22'.
How deep do I need to bury the hardware cloth down vertically to prevent them from digging underground and into the run?
Anything else I should consider?

Attached are a couple of photos.

How did rats problem was in control ? Because once they are in they never leave unless they have no place to get in or dig in.

 

[BonnieBlue]

I know I am late to this, but just to agree with the angle of controlling feed for the rats. I remove the feeder an hour or two before my girls go in for the night and bring it inside. During that hour or two, they eat the spilled food.

It's funny, they may be pecking around without even caring about the feeder, but as soon as I remove it, they run over and eat the spilled food like they are afraid they will never see food again.

I also spray around the feeder area with peppermint oil mixed with water. Not right up to it, but close enough to give the mint smell to the area. I have read rodents don't like mint, so I use whatever deterrent I can think of.

Thanks for the idea of hot pepper. I will soon be moving to a more rural area, and looking for ways to up my game.

 

[Island Coppers]

BonnieBlue​

I read a bit about using hot pepper because I liked the idea of something organic to detour rats. One study stood out however. Apparently the rats given access to both plain and spiced feed ended up preferring the feed with hot pepper.

 

[Island Coppers]

Nicole Bee,​

Welcome to BYC!

This may be a really dumb question, (chicken newbie here!) but can you lay hardware cloth down on the ground rather than burying it? Perhaps use wood shavings or hay over the hardware cloth for the chickens?

If the layer of wood shavings or chips is deep enough, chickens will dig quite a ways down into whatever you use. I use rough wood chips and they have dug almost a foot into it. Hay is not recommended because it absorbs moisture and molds.

 

[BonnieBlue]

BonnieBlue​

I read a bit about using hot pepper because I liked the idea of something organic to detour rats. One study stood out however. Apparently the rats given access to both plain and spiced feed ended up preferring the feed with hot pepper.

Well, that's no good. Down here, with my luck, a rat would say "oh, how nice, seasoning"!