Run design advice

[Hargett]

Hello all,
I am seeking some advice for my run. I have a 10’x6’ run space directly off the front of my coop. I plan to use hardware cloth to completely enclose it, including underneath the coop. I also plan on using 4x4 posts to frame off of. I have an idea for the top of the run, but I’m debating running boards across the bottom on the ground. The ground isn’t level, so digging it out to lay 2x4s might be a pain. Does anyone just run hardware cloth down into the ground? I have attached a few pictures, not the best angles of the run, but hopefully you get the idea. Thanks!

 

[flyin-lowe]

Look at this old thread of how I did mine. I don't have pics at the moment so youll have to go a few pages into this thread and see them. My ground was not level either. I basically set all my post and then found one of them to use as a reference and leveled everything from that one. The I just cut the tops of the taller posts off. You can see I just set 2x4's (all treated) along the ground and then around the top and in the middle to have a framework to attach my HC cloth too. Mine is 8'x24' but you could do similar with yours.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/i-got-started-on-my-coop-today-90-finished.1082634/page-3

 

[aart]

Does anyone just run hardware cloth down into the ground?

I used 2x4 welded wire for my run, but yes, I ran the mesh down the walls and 18" out onto the ground for an anti-dig barrier.
Don't think I have any great pics, but will look.

Meanwhile...
Good examples of anti-dig apron installation:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wire-around-coop.1110498/#post-17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

ETA:
You can kind of see it here...

and in other pics on My Coop page.

 

[Ridgerunner]

That's a problem with uneven ground, things can just push their way through under a fence if you don't do something. They don't even have to dig, most of the time, just push through. And chickens might be able to push their way out, especially if they do a bit of excavating with their scratching. A potential issue is lumber touching the ground can rot, even treated or the expensive rot resistant varieties. It just takes them longer.

I recommend Aart's solution, it works. Bend about 18" of hardware cloth at a 90 degree angle and put that under the turf on the outside. That should be burying the wire an inch or two. Much easier than digging a trench. It closes any gaps. It keeps the wire away from weed eaters and lawn mowers. The idea against digging predators is that they go up to the fence, start digging, hit the wire, and do not know to back up. It is pretty effective.