what did you use besides wire to keep predators from digging under run.

[ball44]

I am just looking for ideas of things other than wire to use to keep predators from digging into the run. I was thinking about digging a 4 to 5 inch trench and putting either 8 x 12 cap blocks or possibly railroad ties in it to keep the predators out. Would this be sufficent? I am a little worried about getting the trench good and level so that everything is even.

 

[chickmashnoon]

We bought the coated wire shelves that they sell for closet storage and sank them into the ground so that the flat shelf area created the apron around the run. We figured it was longer lasting and more durable than chicken wire or hardware cloth and the grass grows right thru the wire shelf. You can't even see it, but it deters anything from trying to dig. It lays flat to the ground, so we can mow over it, and we only had to dig a narrow trench to sink in the edge that hooks to the wall. Our coop just happened to fit standard lengths around it, so we were lucky that we didn't even have to cut any edges. Since it's coated, hopefully it will last for many years.

 

[Stumpy]

We bought the coated wire shelves that they sell for closet storage and sank them into the ground so that the flat shelf area created the apron around the run. We figured it was longer lasting and more durable than chicken wire or hardware cloth and the grass grows right thru the wire shelf. You can't even see it, but it deters anything from trying to dig. It lays flat to the ground, so we can mow over it, and we only had to dig a narrow trench to sink in the edge that hooks to the wall. Our coop just happened to fit standard lengths around it, so we were lucky that we didn't even have to cut any edges. Since it's coated, hopefully it will last for many years.

I am so glad you mentioned this. I have a stack of these lying around and now I have a purpose for them.