Run help! Can't bury

[Erikalpowers]

Hi friends
Run building this week and have a question. We are in Upstate NY and our ground where we live is EXTREMELY rocky.The task of trying to bury HC is IMPOSSIBLE! We have been racking our brains to come up with a way to have a predator skirt. (Although I don't think the critters will have much better luck, to be honest.) But, I want to do my best for the girls. SO, i was thinking to lay 12-18" of HC along the ground and pile good size heavy rocks on top, around the perimeter of the run.
Thoughts on this or any suggestions? Thank you.

 

[easterbun]

I can't see why that wouldn't work - I don't intend to dig down to "bury" my HC predator apron when I get to that point with my new coop.. I just plan to lay it down, then cover it with a couple of inches of dirt.

 

[shawn.dearie]

I laid down 2 ft of hardware cloth extending out from my run walls. It is a continuous piece of hardware cloth that is bent in a "L" shape...

I used landscape fabric pins (5" long u shaped pins) to secure it in place. Grass is already growing through. I think it will be good to go, but I will totally let you know if something gets through!

 

[Erikalpowers]

I laid down 2 ft of hardware cloth extending out from my run walls. It is a continuous piece of hardware cloth that is bent in a "L" shape...

I used landscape fabric pins (5" long u shaped pins) to secure it in place. Grass is already growing through. I think it will be good to go, but I will totally let you know if something gets through!

We talked about doing that too! Please keep me posted! Ty

 

[mowin]

Hi friends
Run building this week and have a question. We are in Upstate NY and our ground where we live is EXTREMELY rocky.The task of trying to bury HC is IMPOSSIBLE! We have been racking our brains to come up with a way to have a predator skirt. (Although I don't think the critters will have much better luck, to be honest.) But, I want to do my best for the girls. SO, i was thinking to lay 12-18" of HC along the ground and pile good size heavy rocks on top, around the perimeter of the run.
Thoughts on this or any suggestions? Thank you.

Welcome fellow upstater...

A HC apron attached to the coop/run and then extended along the ground 18" or so will be good.

I've had fox, coon, yotes attempt to dig in with no luck.

In fact I see a red fox a couple times a week and she doesn't even give the coop a second look.

 

[Erikalpowers]

Welcome fellow upstater...

A HC apron attached to the coop/run and then extended along the ground 18" or so will be good.

I've had fox, coon, yotes attempt to dig in with no luck.

In fact I see a red fox a couple times a week and she doesn't even give the coop a second look.

Hello. The HC apron held down with landscaping pins or do you think doing the rocks along it would be good? I like the looks of the rocks, & there's an endless supply!

 

[mowin]

Oh, I've got rocks too. My theory .... Critter instinctively tries to dig in right next to the run. Can't because of the apron. Doesn't know to back up. Will larger rocks cause critter to back up and dig out farther? Don't know!! Could they???
Others might have more info..

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you want to cover it up with "rocks", small gravel or sand should be ok. Larger rocks are not, and the reason is it causes the pest/predator to back up to the edge of the rock to start digging, so you're losing some coverage on the apron and possibly the pest/predator will back up enough to find the edge and get under.

 

[Erikalpowers]

If you want to cover it up with "rocks", small gravel or sand should be ok. Larger rocks are not, and the reason is it causes the pest/predator to back up to the edge of the rock to start digging, so you're losing some coverage on the apron and possibly the pest/predator will back up enough to find the edge and get under.

Ok great!! We are getting a truck load of sand delivered today. I will put the apron down then fill over it! Maybe I'll add some smaller river run rocks around as well. Or land is very "boney" (as my husband says is the correct term) We built our house 2 years ago so we are TOO familiar with trying to dig anything here! I won't shock you with the number of truck loads of backfill we had to bring in just to get the foundation in. Or what the well di was like! BUT.....it should help save chicken lives! Thank you ALL for your help!

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I put HC down all over the bottom of the run then covered with dirt. Lots of dirt. I’ve seen mouse tunnels underneath briefly but the chickens cover them pretty quickly. The rodents can’t get through 1/2 inch HC.