x-post: how deep should I bury hardware cloth?

[lunger]

Hello,

I posted the following question below in "predators and pests" and thought I would get more responses. I realized that this forum might yield more feedback. I did get one response in predators in pests (pasted below) recommending to bring the mesh out in an "L" shape. Any other input is appreciated...I'm going to start trenching this weekend.



how deep should I bury hardware cloth?

Hello,

I am building our first chicken coop and the plans have me burying the hardware cloth 1' deep. I searched the predator/pest forum and find the recommendations range from about 1' to 1 1/2 feet. I only want to dig once, and more importantly I don't want our chickens getting killed so I am wondering if anybody has had experience w/a predator digging deeper than 1 foot to get to chickens? My tendency is to go 1 1/2 feet deep for "insurance" but if it isn't necessary then I could probably find something better to do w/my time/energy than digging a trench.

Known predators in our immediate area coyote, raccoon, skunk, and fox. I don't think they are "diggers" but there are bobcat and probably the occasional mountain lion coming through.

panner123
Chicken Obsessed
From: Garden Valley, ca
Registered: 01/15/2007
Posts: 1781
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Re: how deep should I bury hardware cloth?

What is more important is bring the wire out in an L shape about 2 feet away from the chicken yard at the bottom. Then I bury it between 6" to 8" deep. Doing this gives my wife enough dirt to plant her flowers around the fence. Doing it this way the predator digs and hits the wire and stops. It doesn't figure out that he needs to back up so he can dig under the L. Once this is done it is a one time deal.

 

[patandchickens]

Replying quick before mods realize it's crosssposted, which is generally frowned on here unless it's been a coupla days for the other thread with few if any responses

...

I would not bury it at all, personally. I would do a 2-3' wide apron on the surface of the ground, very securely attached to the foot of the run fence, with the free edge of the apron turned down a little and pegged down real well. Either leave it exposed (turf will grow up thru it, and if it's well enoguh pegged down you can even mow carefully over it) or cover with rocks, mulch, pavers, concrete rubble, a flowerbed, whatever.

This works just as well as burial, for a LOT less work! Also it is easier to monitor the state of the buried wire in future years, and replace when it starts weakening due to rust. (Yes, galvanized wire buried int he ground DOES rust).

If you have your heart set on burial, I would not personally feel good about just 12" with coyotes and skunk around. I mean, you might be ok but really I would for sure do 18" down.

But as I say, I *wouldn't* bury, I'd do the apron

(e.t.a. -- you might want to think about whether you REALLY wanna use hardwarecloth, too, no matter whether you are burying or, uh, apron-ing. The only diggers that can go thru larger mesh but not hardwarecloth is really rats, and quite frankly you're not likely to be able to keep rats out no matter WHAT you do (certainly not with anything less than a full hardwarecloth or concrete floor). 1x1 or 1x2 heavy-gauge wire mesh is fine for this application, and even 2x4" mesh is pretty close to just as good. And not only are they cheaper, but they will last longer due to being heavier gauge and often better-galvanized. Do make sure you are getting QUALITY mesh though not flimsy garden-grade stuff.)

Good luck, have fun,

Pat