Rodents or skunks or something, oh my!

[Chickerbockers]

Hi all! We have had chickens for about four years. Last week for the first time, something has managed to burrow into the coop. A neighbor suggested a cement floor, but I worry about the chickens landing when they fly down from the perch. Any simple, safe and effective way to secure a room attached to the barn which we converted to a coop?

Thanks for the thoughts!

 

[jthornton]

An apron made from 1" x 2" welded wire.

JT

 

[Brahmachicken240]

Hi all! We have had chickens for about four years. Last week for the first time, something has managed to burrow into the coop. A neighbor suggested a cement floor, but I worry about the chickens landing when they fly down from the perch. Any simple, safe and effective way to secure a room attached to the barn which we converted to a coop?

Thanks for the thoughts!

A cement floor with a layer of wood shavings on top.

 

[blackdog043]

What size is the hole that was dug, do you have a picture? If it was smaller, like a rat, I would use 1/2 inch hardware cloth and make an apron 18 inches out, around the perimeter.

 

[Folly's place]

Immediately, a hardware cloth apron. Having a concrete floor is wonderful, though, and deeply bedding it with shavings works fine.
Mine has rubber stall mats, and then bedding. No issues with birds landing on it, even those who roost eight feet up in the rafters.
Mary

 

[aart]

Immediately, a hardware cloth apron.

Yes!
Good examples of anti-dig apron installation:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1110498/wire-around-coop#post_17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

 

[Chickerbockers]

Thanks, all! We are trying to figure out if rats or skunks are the issue, but a cement floor is going in no matter what! I was reading the post on rat poisons too. I hate to use poisons, so I have to figure that out still.

 

[Folly's place]

You can usually smell at least a mild 'skunk odor', and rats leave pee and poo everywhere!
Mary