Well...It happened...I'm sad and furious. UPDATED! CAUGHT 2!

[Mrs. Green Thumbs]

My DH said I was nutty for wanting the run covered... Said I was going over board.... Then after setting up the perimeter fencing and laying down pavers all around we sit back to enjoy a nice tall well deserved glass of lemonade and nurse our scratches (stupid welded wire) and low and behold look who hoped her sassy butt up the oak tree sashayed over the top of our storage unit and gracefully jumped down into the chicken pen!!! None other than the neighbors cat!

You know what the DH had the nerve to say?


"We need a top on that run"


UGH lol I got my top. Sorry for your loss but sometimes ...well some ppl just need the point driven home before they see the sense in it.

 

[Dogfish]

Move the coop (or the tree). The tree is an entry point into the run from the fence. Swap out hardware cloth for that chicken wire. Run a ledger board on the fence (horizontally) even with the top of the coop roof where it meets the fence. Run stringers to your picket fence for the top of the run and cover with either Hardware cloth or 2x4 welded wire.

Make sure to put wire (hardware cloth) down where the fence meets the dirt. Looks like another entry point.

 

[hallerlake]

Quote:
Your set up is adorable, but I would put a door on that coop, and keep the chickens in the coop at night. The chickens won't mind in the least. You mentioned a three inch gap all around the top. Is there hardware cloth covering it? Rats could easily get in a 3" gap.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Quote:
Please rethink that last part. I don't think it's nice to the cat or to the people in the neighborhood over and their pets and backyard livestock. And it's illegal in many places to release trapped feral cats due to the many risks of spreading communicable diseases. If you catch a cat take it to your local Animal Care & Control. If it belongs to someone that will be the first place they'll look for it. If it doesn't, then perhaps it could be adopted or humanely euthanized.

I am sorry for your loss

and do admire your lovely coop & pen!

I hope you find a good solution to your predator problem. Many folks don't realize how the populations of predators like raccoons & opossums have increased along with development. Even in the suburbs you have to be prepared to protect your flock from them.

 

[LindsayB]

well we put live traps out last night...One inside the run and one under the wood rack..and nothing. of course...lol. I guess we'll try again tonight.

 

[casumm]

LindsayB... I can't imagine finding one of your babies like that. Clearly she was a well loved chickie. I'm really sorry you had to go through this.

Your set up is adorable. Other posters already mentioned most of my suggestions but, for your DH, most of those changes are minor and won't be any sort of eyesore at all.

I couldn't tell from the pic, do you have a gate at the end of the run so you can walk in? Is that one of the hesitations he has for not topping it? You could frame out the top with hinges to raise up so you can still walk in without stooping... just a thought.

Good luck with your ladies tonight. Hope everyone stays safe and rests well (you included!).

-chris

 

[LindsayB]

Yes we do have a gate. The end of the run opens like a door so I can refill the water, etc. I ordered an automatic door yesterday and its supposed to be here by the 17th! yay! DH said he didnt care. Now I just have to lock them up myself after it gets dark every night until it comes in.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I'm glad things are working out for you. That's great.

 

[LindsayB]

we set the traps last night and caught these two little critters...No more chicken killing for them!

 

[schellie69]

Hate to say if there are 2 there are more, put a top on that run and lock the door to the coop at night. with that many raccoons it would be the best or move the coop and run to another area away from the fence where the trees are to easy for the predators to get an easy meal.