Ugh...how do I find the ditch digging fairy?...and a real question

[anniem]

I hate clay! At least it's really wet, about as easy to dig as it's going to get, but ditch digging was not so fun. Here's what I did today:

It's probably 6-8" deep, I know it should be a foot down for the hardware cloth. But I'm wondering if that would be far enough if I also partly filled the space with some large gravel (or river rock) and went out about 6" and a few inches deep with the gravel/rock. I wanted to have some around for drainage anyway, will it help deter diggers, too? There's the hen house within this structure but they'd just be locked into the greater structure, not into the hen house.

 

[BankerJohn]

I have the same issue and aversion to digging that you do. For me, I lined the bottom with chicken wire, laid a cinder block border then filled the run area with 1/4" screened rock from a local quarry ($24.83 for 3200#'s rock) the laid landscape cloth and then topped with sand. The wire makes the bottom predator proof. The rock underlayment makes for excellent moisture control and the sand allows for easy clean up and again, excellent moisture control. I have NO issues with a muddy floor in my pen.

 

[BankerJohn]

Quote:
here is a pic before landscape cloth and sand...

 

[elmo]

You could skip the ditch, and lay hardware cloth flat on the ground extending out two feet or so, then tack it down really well with landscaping staples, and let the grass grow up through the mesh. That's what I did, because we have clay soil, too.

 

[KenCoesta]

I've heard that several times today.
Protection - digging = win!

 

[CoyoteMagic]

I live in NCarolina, the land of clay and shale! Skirt/Apron is the way to go. I've never had anything go under. Over, yes (usually a chicken) but nothing has gone under. Cover with mulch, plant some grass or deep rooting plants over it. Nothing will get under it.

 

[patandchickens]

What they said. Do a couple-feet-wide apron, it is MUCH MUCH easier and works just as well (except for rats, but NOTHING really keeps out rats). And mind you, I say this as someone who frankly ENJOYS digging holes and ditches

Pat

 

[Dogfish]

Digging a ditch in clay soil requires a pick. Sink the pick home in the ditch, then pry of the dirt up by pushing the handle away from you. Pick about 4-8 feet at a time, then clear it out.

 

[emys]

You don't need a fairy, you need to rent a ditch witch.

 

[fisharescary]

Quote:
You beat me to it!