Suggestions on coop/run (especially security)

[sjd0014]

We are new to chickens and have twelve 5 and 1/2 week old pullets. We converted a garden shed to their coop, and put up a 20x20x6 dog kennel as a temporary run. We got chickens with the intent that they will eventually be free range (closed in coop at night). But first my cane corso has to learn that they are not to be pounced on! My other three dogs are fine with them. I reinforced the bottom couple feet of the run with chicken wire but haven't done anything to prevent predators from actually digging under. Any cheap, easy (and not permanent) ways to do this? They are closed in the coop at night. There is a high 3x2ft window that we've covered with hardware cloth, and we built a screen door with hardware cloth stapled to the wooden frame in an attempt to get enough ventilation/air flow. Is that enough to keep out predators from the coop? Does it need more reinforcement? They've only been outside full time for the past couple of days, and I had no idea the sense of paranoia I'd feel while they were out in their coop at night! We do have a fox living on our 26 acre property. I haven't seen any raccoons, owls, or opossum or captured any on our trail cam. I have seen a hawk. It's fenced and cross fenced, so we haven't had any problems with neighborhood dogs. Our dogs are indoor dogs, so they're not a deterrent to predators when we're not around. I know that allowing the chickens to free range will leave them vulnerable to things that could eat them, but I'd at least like them to be as safe as possible at night in their coop.

And yes, the wooden frame of the screen door is a bit crooked, lol. That was all my doing! We are adding a second, more secure latch to the bottom of the door. I'm including a photo of our property - the coop is behind the house.

Suggestions for improvement appreciated!

 

[azygous]

It's just a matter of time before every predator in the neighborhood discovers your "meat market". The run is especially vulnerable to foxes and bobcats who are very agile climbers. Chicken wire does nothing to protect from raccoons thrusting their agile slender paws through the fence to grab and maul a chick, even yanking its body through.

I recommend hot wire around your chicken structures and ten inches and 30 inches. The wires must be flush with a solid structure not in free space. Predators must not be able to jump over or through the wires but must be forced to inspect them. Peanut butter dabbed onto the wires at intervals invites this inspection and the message delivered is so powerful, that predator won't return.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! It's great to have space and an existing structure to build on and modify. First, the coop; More ventilation, as in hardware cloth upper openings, and another window, south facing if possible. Hardware cloth over all openings, and over those staples, 1"x3" wood strips, screwed down. No openings anywhere larger than 1/2" diameter! You can reinforce that door with wood, screwed in, and at the same time, make the door openings no more than 1/2" wide. Also a real door latch or two, locked. The run; more security will be about hardware cloth, as an apron out from the base at least, and hardware cloth on the walls, and at least netting to keep hawks out during the day. Unless it's as secure as the coop, lock the chickens in every evening WITHOUT FAIL! Also, add roost bars and nest boxes inside the coop sometime fairly soon. Chickens are a lot of fun, but they are on everyone's menu! Mary

 

[Lazy Farmer]

We are new to chickens and have twelve 5 and 1/2 week old pullets. We converted a garden shed to their coop, and put up a 20x20x6 dog kennel as a temporary run. We got chickens with the intent that they will eventually be free range (closed in coop at night). But first my cane corso has to learn that they are not to be pounced on! My other three dogs are fine with them. I reinforced the bottom couple feet of the run with chicken wire but haven't done anything to prevent predators from actually digging under. Any cheap, easy (and not permanent) ways to do this? They are closed in the coop at night. There is a high 3x2ft window that we've covered with hardware cloth, and we built a screen door with hardware cloth stapled to the wooden frame in an attempt to get enough ventilation/air flow. Is that enough to keep out predators from the coop? Does it need more reinforcement? They've only been outside full time for the past couple of days, and I had no idea the sense of paranoia I'd feel while they were out in their coop at night! We do have a fox living on our 26 acre property. I haven't seen any raccoons, owls, or opossum or captured any on our trail cam. I have seen a hawk. It's fenced and cross fenced, so we haven't had any problems with neighborhood dogs. Our dogs are indoor dogs, so they're not a deterrent to predators when we're not around. I know that allowing the chickens to free range will leave them vulnerable to things that could eat them, but I'd at least like them to be as safe as possible at night in their coop.

And yes, the wooden frame of the screen door is a bit crooked, lol. That was all my doing! We are adding a second, more secure latch to the bottom of the door. I'm including a photo of our property - the coop is behind the house.View attachment 1061559 View attachment 1061560 View attachment 1061561 View attachment 1061562 View attachment 1061563 View attachment 1061564

Suggestions for improvement appreciated!

Hot wire set ups are relatively inexpensive and well worth the investment. It would train that fox to turn around. Hot wires are sometimes called psychological barriers. Although you have to maintain the line and clear growing vegetation periodically.
Also live traps and relocate the predators to a far away location. Your run looks brand newly installed after a short time the chickens (when they are older and larger) will have the area scratched down and you will have to tweek the panels to close the gaps.
No such thing as predator proof only predator resistant ( my opinion of course).
You have a beautiful place BTW.
Raising chickens is still a learning experience for us even though we have had birds for years, you can never say I've seen it all!
Good fortune to you!
Best regards, fc

 

[Folly's place]

Also review your state regulations concerning predator management and relocation. All raptors are protected everywhere in the USA, and most states have laws about relocating 'varmits', including skunks, opossums, and raccoons. Don't live trap and then illegally relocate!!! Mary

 

[Jfab]

I am in the process of building a 10x10x6 chain link dog kennel for my girls. I want to put a top on to prevent escape or entrance by unwanted predators. Which is better? wire or netting? I also want to put a smaller wire (hardware cloth maybe) around the bottom. How deep should I bury wire around the perimeter to prevent diggers from coming in? I live in a wooded rural area so I never know what will enter my yard and want to keep my girls safe.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Ideal protection includes that hardware cloth skirt, and hardware cloth everywhere, well secured. In snow country, and many other places, a solid roof is best; snow load will be a real problem on a hardware cloth roof! For hawks, the chainlink walls and a net roof works fine. For weasels and rats, no opening any where larger than 1/2" diameter! Managing run safety is often a trade-off between nearly perfect, and cost. Mary