securing run?

[Moselle]

We are starting construction on the coop/run. Dh at first wanted to give the run a wire floor to protect from predators, but it sounds like that's not always a good idea - especially since our ground is not terribly even.

So would a 6-12"mesh wire skirt coming out from the bottom sides (under the wood frame) be a better choice? We could stake it down here and there where the ground is uneven.

 

[chickonaroost]

A skirt would be fine, but bury it down atleast 6" along the edge. So the wire 'wall' goes underground. My worst predators have dug down to get in. If you did opt for a wire floor, you could put litter or straw over it and it would be buried very quickly.

 

[bills]

After reading lots about coop and run security against predators, I opted for hardware cloth, 1/2" mesh.

I dug a trench around the coop and run, and then buried the hardware cloth at least one foot into it. I fastened the upper mesh to 2x4 boards, with fence staples. Around the coop I just fence stapled it to the siding. This should prevent rats, mink, coons etc., from ever getting into the run, or under the coop. My entire run is covered, and sided with hardware cloth as well, all well fastened to 2x4's . I sure hope this extra work, and expense, will pay off in the chickens long term security.

Unless your ground is terribly uneven, you should be able to do the same. I suppose if you have a difference of over a foot you may have to cut the mesh at a few points to be able to maintain a deep barrier. I join the ends of the mesh with galvanized wire, so nothing can work its way past.

Might seem like overkill, but some of these predators can be pretty determined to get your chickens.

 

[Moselle]

Thank you both. BTW, Bills - dh and I went to Vancouver Island on our honeymoon. Absolutely beautiful. We can't wait to go back some day!

 

[Dixiedoodle]

Bill how large is you coop and what size hardware cloth did you use for your run?? I will need to do this same thing with my coop/run...we have too many predators.. Fri. nite, I came home and there was a red fox carrying a full grown rabbit across my backyard.. Last night, the dogs were barking and found another fox out in the front about 50yds. from the front door. I keep my dogs fenced in an acre area because I do not want them harrassing my neighbors poultry and livestock.. So, the fox, coons, opossum, cats and feral dogs are not afraid of them after they find out they can't get to them.. I may have to put a dog run around the entire coop/run to make a believer out of these pests..Dixie

 

[bills]

My hen house is six foot by eight foot, and the attatched run is also six by eight. It was a bit of work digging the trench, but the soil was not to rocky, or rooted so it wasn't as bad as some could be. The hardware cloth is the galvanized 1/2" mesh. I bought some in four foot width, and some in two foot width. I used the two foot width to completely encircle the coop, one foot buried in the ground, one foot up the side of the coop where it was fence stapled.
The four foot width I used for the run, again a foot buried in the ground.

As we get fall and spring rains, and the occasional snowfall, I decided to put a corrugated plastic roof over the run. Being that the plastic may not be coon proof, I put the hardware cloth over the roof, (under the plastic) as well. If we get some sun tommorrow, I will take a few pictures, and post them, so you can see what it looks like.

Moselle, Vancouver Island "is" a beautiful place, and I hope you got some nice weather during your honeymoon, so you could see it at its best. I live in Parksville, which is on the eastern side, at about mid-way up the Island. Hope you have a chance to visit again someday.

 

[Dixiedoodle]

Bill (and everyone else ) I would love to see pictures of your coop.. I spend hrs. a day, reading, dream, drawing, thinking about coops, runs and chickens...Dixie

 

[bills]

Quote:
If you check this thread out you will see a few pictures I posted. I will try and take a few more that might give some ideas for people. I know I thought long and hard before deciding how I would deal with the issues of security, electricity, ventilation, chicken doors, ladders, dropping boards, nest boxe set up. I sure hope the chickens appreciate it all...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=34146