Run criticisms

[cjweaver13]

Thoughts on run? It's sided completely with 2x4 10ga welded wire with about a 2 foot apron on the sides. Metal 1" chicken wire wraps around about 2ft high so something can't reach in as easy and chickens can't poke out. Corners and contacts with the coop is also reinforced with hardware cloth. All contacts with wood is further secured with wood screws and washers every 6 inches or so. The roof is 1 inch metal chicken wire. Lastly, a tarp will cover the top completely over the wire.

What are your thoughts? 100% hardware cloth just wasn't an option this year due to budget, but possiy we will add a bit here and there as we can to make it bulletproof. Was also thinking running 1 electrici wire about 6 inches up

 

[Brooks_]

What's your predator load? What are you trying to protect from? It's more than I have done with my run.

 

[cjweaver13]

What's your predator load? What are you trying to protect from? It's more than I have done with my run.

I would say moderate at least. Mainly raccoons, weasels, fox, and maybe a coyote. From above just standard birds of prey as I have seen Hawks and actually just rescued a kestral (they shouldn't bother chickens) during a storm

 

[Sally PB]

I think it looks nice! Yeah, add hardware cloth as you can; that's about all I can suggest.

I have a similar set up, and it has worked very well. I used two heavy duty tarps over the roof to keep out rain and snow. The chicken wire helps support the tarp between the metal frame pieces, and I was able to use a broom to clean off any snow accumulation.

One thing that we're changing: Instead of the tarps, we're going to put up polycarbonate panels for roofing. The tarps worked great, but they made the run kind of dark and dreary.

I used clear shower curtains zip tied to the sides to act as a windbreak. I covered the west side (prevailing wind) and went around the SW and NW corners to give added protection. I left the east side open, but it's near the garage, so not a lot of wind from that direction. In time, I'll probably get some clear polycarbonate panels to put on the side in the winter too.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Weasels will probably be the toughest, if that's a big problem in your area. The hot wire should help prevent coons from getting in there and tearing away at the chicken wire, but weasels can get under it and also fit into those openings.

Adding hardware cloth over time will be your best bet in excluding them.

 

[littledog]

Very Nice! It's definitely safe from any birds of prey or larger pests like raccoons, but weasels could be a problem. If at some point you could cover the sides and roof with smaller-gauge chicken wire over the welded wire, and do the apron and bottom couple feet with hardware cloth, you'd have Fort Knox.

 

[3KillerBs]

Better to use landscape staples to secure your anti-dig apron than those pavers.

Diggers will back up to the edge of whatever solid item they can see and start their tunnel there and the way you've placed the pavers the solid that they can see is just about at the edge of the wire.

 

[aart]

Looks pretty good!

Lastly, a tarp will cover the top completely over the wire.

Do you get snow?

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[cjweaver13]

Looks pretty good!


Do you get snow?

Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location...

Thanks I'll update in a bit. But yes we get snow. Northeastern Pennsylvania

 

[aart]

But yes we get snow.

Tarp loaded with snow might get dicey.