Securing beneath the coop-- after it's built

[JacksonPearce]

I've recently expanded my coop substantially, including a large run area. The run is fully secure with hardware cloth, except underneath-- since it was for daytime use only, and the chickens would be shut off from it overnight, I didn't bother running the hardware out like an apron from underneath (plus, since it's a run, I wanted the girls to be able to scratch without hitting wire).

But...now I think we might need to occasionally use the run to confine new birds in, or as an entirely separate coop for chickens that aren't playing as well with the others. It's really not possible to lift the entire run up and affix anything to the bottom. It's also not really possible to dig a trench too far down around the coop, but because of it's location and because I fear doing so would impact the coop's foundation.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can ward off digging predators with this in mind? I wondered if an apron attached to the bottom inch of the run and flaring out a few feet might do the trick. We have not have any issues so far with digging predators; the only ones in our area are raccoons and possums.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I wondered if an apron attached to the bottom inch of the run and flaring out a few feet might do the trick. We have not have any issues so far with digging predators; the only ones in our area are raccoons and possums.

Looks like you already know what to do.

Use landscape edging pins to hold it down and even lay stones on top so you don't hit it with the mower or trip on it.

 

[blackdog043]

^^^ This ^^^