What else can I do here???

[gabby3535]

Okay, I have done everything "I" can think of to make my run into Fort Knox............
The dimensions are 20' x 28'........coop is entirely 'inside' the run.
All 'vertical' lumber is 4" x 4", and set in concrete........
Entire run is fenced with 2" x 2" woven wire........
I have an 'apron' of hardware cloth, laid 2 feet out on the ground, and covered with stone dust......
also, the hardware cloth runs 2 feet up from the ground on the 2" x 2" wire fencing............
In addition, I have very strong 'flight netting' covering the entire top of the run............
I have recently installed 2 strands of polywire electric fencing around the perimeter of the run.....one strand at about
18 inches, and the other at about 30 inches......................(I have plans for more strands, when time permits!)

The coop and run are about 2 feet away from the small barn..............and I thought a 'creative' predator (raccoon)
might think to climb up onto the barn roof, and jump onto the flight netting, to chew its way into the run...............
sooooooooooo, I put 2 strands of electric on the edge of the roof, where it would have to walk to jump onto the flight
netting and also 2 strands on top of the flight netting where a creative coon might land, "if" it were to get by the electric
on the barn roof!

I leave a radio in the barn playing 24/7/365, talk radio station............
and have motion sensor floodlights everywhere around the barn..............

We have all possible predators here in Northwest NJ............from coons to fox and coyote, possum, and black bear.
What else can I do to keep my chickies safe??????
Any suggestions appreciated...........

 

[xtremevermonter]

Wow! Fort Knox indeed! Are you able to bury the hardware cloth around the perimeter? You could also lay down some broken glass at the bottom of the trench to deter diggers if you do decide to bury.

 

[toletiquesbysam]

Your coop is too cute, love the star on there as well!! Good Job!!!

 

[sillybirds]

Wow! That looks really secure. Nice work!

I'm currently working on a similarly fortified run (mostly due to our own chicken killing dog), and respect the effort you've put in to fortify your run. I'm going to install a solar powered electric fence. It's rather dry where I live. I have been advised that I may need to use a pairs of hot and ground wires, due to the poor conductivity of the dry ground. Which brings me to my question about your setup... Are the electric wires on the roof of the barn and run all "hot" wires, or are they pairs of hot/ground wires? Will a potential predator get shocked standing on the roof of the barn or on the netting on the run?

 

[redoak]

Very nice coop

 

[rancher hicks]

Awesome, mkes mine look awful. Must have spent a lot of money.

 

[Monk]

Awesome coop and clearly maximum security.

 

[justusnak]

Wow, great job. I dont think the military could get past that! LUCKY chickies!

 

[Ga Grain]

You went all out we see. I just don't see putting all that expense into a chicken run....

But to have a place to put the kids when they come home from grandma's house all sugared up..... I better go get my hammer and nails

 

[CityChook]

Quote:
Don't you worry about it. You will be glad that you spent the money and time to make your run secure. I don't plan on seeing your name come up on the predators/pests forum. Nice job and cute coop.