Will this be secure enough??

[aprophet]

I once caught a possum by peeing on a trap . I won the bet. no bait just the trap. animals get used to folks when that is where their food source is ;by the folks they get to where they fear less and less ,when controlled their population limited, it is alot easier to have birds

 

[teach1rusl]

Your chickens won't necessarily run. I had a groundhog waddle along the fenceline the other day, and the chickens perked up and started "talking" excitedly, but then they kind of followed him along the fenceline watching him. I don't think a racoon could open a people door with a regular doorknob. I know they're sly little buggars, but I'm getting mental images of them walking around upright dressed in white science research jackets holding test tubes if somebody tells me they can open people doors.

If you know there are raccoons in your area, I would go with the smallest wire you can (I agree that hardware cloth is best) around the bottom. Chicken wire will help, and I doubt a full grown chicken could stick its head out, but a raccoon could still reach through chicken wire and grab a head or neck to pull through.

 

[FiveHens]

You're probably fine, but we used an "apron" of 2' chicken wire folded 6" up and attached to the side of the run. We put a caribbeaner on the door-raccoons are smart.

 

[rancher hicks]

You got pics?

 

[Prodigal son]

I also have male family members who I have advised to NEVER come in the house to urinate-- if you're outside, go do your business outside the chicken run, barn, or barnyard fencing. Between rains, it really seems to work, even in winter. There's almost an invisible line where they wild animals won't cross, based on tracks, scat and footprints ( when it rains, it all has to start again, of course).

You're spot on. Predators seem to know when something higher up the foodchain has marked his territory. BTW, you've got to be one of the coolest women ever to encourage "watering the lawn" as I call it!

 

[Prodigal son]

"... but I'm getting mental images of them walking around upright dressed in white science research jackets holding test tubes ..."

I've actually seen that. Of course that was before I quit drinking...come to think of it, that was why I quit drinking.

 

[kidcallous]

Quote:
I have already advised my husband of the new procedure if he's outside and has "gotta go". He understands, and after digging that trench along the perimeter and filling it back in, will be following my directions.

Anything to avoid having to redig that trench or add more security!

Next step is the 2"x3" welded wire fencing. Geesh, I thought we could knock this out in a day, and so far it's taken 2. And we're not even halfway done.

 

[kota1369]

Here is my chicken tractor............. it is very heavy duty and most likely not what a tractor was made for. This is also my permanent coop.

My chickens are locked in at night in the winter when it is really cold...... other then that, the door is open. And when I am talking about the door I am talkng about the one inside the coop that just looks like a black hole. It works for me. I think we all need to look at our properties, our situations and decide what is best for what we have.
I have a 1/2 acre city lot. I have a large hill and a train behind me........... lots of noice and no action. It actually didn't take my new rabbits, to much time to adjust to the sound.

The ladies love their tractor and the fact that they get to free range almost every day.
What a life.

The lady with 4 dogs, 4 city chickens, 4 meat rabbits, 7 kits and a lizard