Run Materials Question

[SummerStorm93]

Long story not very short, here. In the past, we've built our runs with chicken wire extending down into the ground and along parallel to the surface a foot or so down. When we were out west, we didn't have any large wild rodents, skunks, coyotes/wolves or predatory snakes to worry about, just hawks, foxes and rats. The hawks were easy to deal with. The rats chewed holes in the underground chicken wire, which the foxes were then happy to use to get in as well. And of course, after about ten years or so, the wire rusted and disintegrated anyway.

Question: is there a more solid sheet material that you all would recommend instead? I was looking at a similar method used to keep bamboo from spreading, and my opinion is that if it can stop bamboo then it can stop anything, but I couldn't actually find what that material was called.

 

[jolly wattles]

I only use hardware cloth. Almost nothing can get through that stuff. Except wasps. Who now have built a nest in my coop wall getting In through the ventilation hole. Grr

Best place for chicken wire? Trash can.
Or for gardens like growing pole beans. Stuff is junk.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

That is interesting. I used the same method in Maryland and never had issues, but I only ever had two rats and I killed those. Foxes never attempted to dig in once I put the chicken wire down. 5 years later when we moved it was still in sturdy condition... I ended up having to leave some of it in the ground and cutting it off at ground level when I disassembled the run. To clarify, though, my run was not chicken wire but chain link, and then i used 4' chicken wire creased so that 2' extended up to keep raccoon hands and possums out, and extending two feet out on the ground to stop any digging.

Now I've moved though and have bigger creatures to deal with, like bobcats. Ugh. We have coyotes here but haven't seen or heard any so far.

I have a neighbor that had issues with foxes digging in so he just made skirts out of roofing metal. If you dug down a couple inches so it would be buried it wouldn't be such an eyesore and hopefully would work even with rats. You can usually find some on craigslist and if you're burying it it wouldn't matter if it was old.

 

[SummerStorm93]

I like the idea of roofing metal - that would also keep nearby shrubs from reaching in for the freshly tilled, manure-fed soil. I've helped pull out a couple of runs that had huge holes ripped in the underground parts by roots going through. Trees are scary. I don't know if hardware cloth would stand up to the same kind of abuse, but it would certainly be sturdier than chicken wire. Thanks, @SunHwaKwon and @jolly wattles!

 

[snow5164]

Chicken wire is a sad , weak product that should be banned. It rusts and corrodes and falls apart .

Hardware cloth is all you need 1/2 inch is good for the run. I know it’s costly but it will last and keep out predators .

Attach with screws and washers , staples can be pulled out .

 

[SummerStorm93]

Chicken wire is a sad , weak product that should be banned. It rusts and corrodes and falls apart .

Hardware cloth is all you need 1/2 inch is good for the run. I know it’s costly but it will last and keep out predators .

Attach with screws and washers , staples can be pulled out .

Ooh, washers + screws looks like easy disassembly if required. That's an excellent idea.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Most chicken wire is good for keeping chickens out of things, and for some gardening projects. If they just called it garden wire, it would probably some chickens a lot safer!

OP, if it's easier for you to use/find/purchase, welded wire is also an option for a skirt, though you want to keep openings on small side if rodents are an issue, so 1/2" wide openings.

 

[aart]

Attach with screws and washers , staples can be pulled out .

Is this your coop @snow5164 ?
Nice bend work!

 

[aart]

Good examples of apron installation, tho I'd not recommend 1/2" HC...go with 14ga 1x2 or 1x1, will hold up much longer and is easier to lay flat.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1110498/wire-around-coop#post_17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

 

[jolly wattles]

Good examples of apron installation, tho I'd not recommend 1/2" HC...go with 14ga 1x2 or 1x1, will hold up much longer and is easier to lay flat.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1110498/wire-around-coop#post_17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

Normally I agree with you but I have 1/4 in HC buried and have no problem with its longevity. One part of my run we recently decided to expand and pulled up the type you described and found rat holes everywhere in the ground. 3 ran across my wife's feet and well i think she peed a little.