SS Metal Roads for Predator Protection

[JakeCpuNut]

Hey folks.. I have my coop up and my 4 week old chicks have moved in. I live in a rural neighborhood and have common predators. Raccoons, Possums, Skunks that would/could dig under and get into the coop.

I have a TSC coop (not the cheapest version) and have added pressure treated 2x4's to the bottom. This coop has the more sturdy hardware cloth and is pretty solid.

I do worry about predators digging under it but rather than digging and putting wire down like most do, I wondered what you all thought about putting stainless steal rod every few inches around the parameter.

I have access to plenty of these that are normally tossed. This particular one is 4" long (I could go longer if need be) and 1" bend and they have to be bent in a vice or with pliers, that's how strong they are.

My thought was to go around the coop every 3 inches or so. That way I won't have to dig, I could have them installed in no time and if I ever did move the coop it would be easy to pull them up.

They are about the diameter of a car antenna.

EDIT: I meant to include that these would go on the inside of the run since digging from the outside would be easy to dig up..

Thoughts or input appreciated!

 

[mowin]

Might work.
I didn't dig my apron at all. It lays on top of the ground and extends out 18". The grass grows up through it, and you don't even know it's there.

 

[JakeCpuNut]

Might work.
I didn't dig my apron at all. It lays on top of the ground and extends out 18". The grass grows up through it, and you don't even know it's there.

Cool, did you use chicken wire or hardware cloth?

 

[Acre4Me]

This would probably work, although I’d go longer with the pieces if possible.

there is a product (sold by either TSC or Rural King, I recall) that is similar and meant to keep dogs from digging into or out of ayard. Most reviews were positive indicating it helped stop a problem dog: their own leaving or another coming in. That product looks more like an “E” where the tines go into the earth and the Flat back sits on the earth. You can see What length that product is, and I recall there were 2 lengths to choose from, but all had same spacing between tines

 

[Mtnboomer]

I have my doubts that those stakes will work. Only foreseeable way would be if the tops were anchored through a board or bottom of coop and extended at least 18" into the ground. If not, the diggers will simply dig deep enough until they loosen and push through, go between, under etc.

Use HC not chicken wire for the apron.

 

[Mtnboomer]

Do you have groundhogs? Do not allow groundhogs to get a foothold in your yard. We have had then dig below frost depth (24-36") to get under building foundations. Other animals love to use their burrows as homes or access points.

 

[JakeCpuNut]

Do you have groundhogs? Do not allow groundhogs to get a foothold in your yard. We have had then dig below frost depth (24-36") to get under building foundations. Other animals love to use their burrows as homes or access points.

There are groundhogs in sight of other houses in my neighborhood. I've never had any that I've seen at my place. My coop is right beside my outbuilding and there is probably 6 inches of open space around the building. I never put anything around the building thinking it would be better to be open and not entice groundhogs etc to dig under it.

 

[JakeCpuNut]

I have my doubts that those stakes will work. Only foreseeable way would be if the tops were anchored through a board or bottom of coop and extended at least 18" into the ground. If not, the diggers will simply dig deep enough until they loosen and push through, go between, under etc.

Use HC not chicken wire for the apron.

Good point! Thanks for the input!

 

[Mtnboomer]

There are groundhogs in sight of other houses in my neighborhood. I've never had any that I've seen at my place. My coop is right beside my outbuilding and there is probably 6 inches of open space around the building. I never put anything around the building thinking it would be better to be open and not entice groundhogs etc to dig under it.

When they find your building, they will dig under it, open or not. Kill on sight or trap immediately.

 

[Punkybrewster]

I dont bury wire, I lay chicken wire on top of the ground 18" out and dump leaves, sticks and spent shavings from the coop on top of it.