Claire Thompson
Keeping chickens is a rewarding hobby, but it can also be challenging. Chickens are vulnerable to predators, and it's important to protect them from threats such as foxes, coyotes, hawks, and even neighbourhood dogs. One way to ensure the safety of your flock is to build a chicken run—a fenced area attached to a chicken coop where your chickens can run around outdoors while feeling secure. This paragraph will discuss how to protect the bottom of your chicken run to keep your chickens safe from predators.
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What You'll Learn
Bury wire mesh or hardware cloth around the perimeter of your chicken run
Burying wire mesh or hardware cloth around the perimeter of your chicken run can be an effective way to protect your chickens from predators. This method creates a barrier that prevents animals from digging their way into the run.
To get started, you'll need to purchase wire mesh or hardware cloth with a fine enough weave to prevent animals from squeezing through or digging underneath. Dig a trench around the perimeter of your chicken run, following the outer edge of the fence or coop. The depth of the trench should be around 8 to 12 inches to create an effective underground barrier.
Place the wire mesh or hardware cloth into the trench, ensuring it is securely attached to the fence or coop. You can use U-nails or landscape staples to secure the mesh to the wooden posts of the fence or coop. Make sure the mesh is tight and flush with the ground to prevent any gaps that animals could exploit.
Once the mesh is securely in place, you can fill the trench with soil, ensuring that the mesh is completely covered. This will help disguise the presence of the mesh and maintain the natural appearance of your chicken run.
Additionally, you can let grass grow through the mesh by securing it with landscape staples. This not only provides a natural covering but also adds extra protection as predators will encounter the hardware cloth barrier as they dig.
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Use a predator apron
Chicken coops and runs are often targeted by predators such as raccoons, foxes, coyotes, weasels, owls, hawks, and even neighbourhood dogs. To protect your chickens, you can use a predator apron.
A predator apron is a perimeter of wire mesh that is laid flat on the ground around the outside of the chicken run. It should extend at least 8-12 inches beyond the run and can either be buried in a trench or weighed down with garden or patio stones. The wire mesh should be secured with U-shaped nails or staples. If you have grass around your run, you can secure the wire mesh with staples and let the grass grow through the mesh.
Using a predator apron will prevent predators from digging their way into the run. If they encounter the wire mesh a few times, they will eventually give up and move on. This method is more cost-effective than using hardware cloth or chicken wire to cover the entire run, and it allows chickens to engage in natural behaviours such as scratching and dust bathing.
In addition to a predator apron, you can also use motion-activated lights or alarms to startle and deter nocturnal predators. Installing an electric fence around the chicken run can also provide an effective and humane barrier against larger predators like foxes, but be sure to follow safety guidelines and check local regulations.
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Cover the top of your chicken run to protect against aerial predators
Chickens are small, rarely take flight, and often huddle together when threatened, making them vulnerable to predators. Therefore, it is important to take measures to protect your chicken coop and run. Firstly, choose a suitable location for your chicken run. Keeping it close to your home is essential, so you can easily monitor it and quickly respond to potential threats. Avoid low-lying areas that are prone to water accumulation, as these can attract predators.
Next, construct a secure enclosure. The size of your run should be determined by the number of chickens you have, with a minimum of 10 square feet of space per chicken. Dig holes for fence posts, ensuring they are straight and equidistant from each other, and sink them in concrete to keep them firmly in place. Attach wire fencing to the posts using staples and a hammer, securing the mesh tightly to the posts and the chicken coop. Bury the fencing a few inches underground to prevent digging predators from gaining access.
Now, let's focus on covering the top of your chicken run to protect against aerial predators:
- Use bird netting or a pergola-style roof to prevent aerial attacks by birds of prey and wild birds that may spread disease. Ensure you use strong netting, as hawks can crash through lightweight netting.
- Construct a roof using welded wire or wooden slats to protect against larger aerial predators like eagles and owls.
- Install adjustable vents or windows higher up to deter ground-based threats while still allowing airflow for your chickens.
- Add motion-activated lights or alarms to startle and deter nocturnal predators like owls and foxes.
- For extra protection against larger predators, consider installing an electric fence around the chicken run.
- If you have a large chicken run, you can offer cover with pallets raised on blocks or pergola-type structures instead of covering the entire area.
- To deter hawks, you can use shiny objects like pinwheels, bird scare tape, disco balls, or hanging CDs.
- Keep the coop clean, as a messy coop can attract rodents and scavengers that may, in turn, draw predators.
- Regularly supervise your chickens, especially if they are free-ranging, and keep a watchdog outside to help deter predators.
By following these measures, you can effectively protect the top of your chicken run against aerial predators and provide a safe environment for your flock.
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Varnish the bottom of the posts to minimise frost heave
If you live in an area with cold winters and experience frost heave, you should consider varnishing the bottom of the posts of your chicken run. Frost heave occurs when water seeps into the ground and freezes, causing the ground to expand and lift. This can cause structural damage to your chicken run, including the posts.
To minimise frost heave, brush the bottom 30 inches of the posts with an oil-based exterior varnish. This will fill the wood grain and prevent moisture from seeping into the posts, reducing the risk of frost heave. It is important to use an oil-based varnish as it is more effective at repelling water and protecting the wood. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions when applying the varnish and allow for adequate drying time.
When varnishing the posts, you may also want to add some dirt or soil to the inside of the run to level it out. This will provide a flat surface for your chickens to walk on and help to absorb any moisture that may accumulate. You can simply fill in any post holes with soil, as concrete is not necessary.
By taking these precautions, you can help to protect the bottom of your chicken run from the effects of frost heave and ensure a safe and dry environment for your chickens during the winter months.
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Install motion-activated lights or alarms to deter nocturnal predators
Installing motion-activated lights or alarms is a great way to deter nocturnal predators from targeting your chicken coop. While motion-activated lights are powerful deterrents, combining them with other measures can create a more robust defence system. Here are some tips to help you maximise their effectiveness:
Firstly, consider the placement of your lights. Install lights around the perimeter of your chicken run to create a protective barrier. Mount lights on poles or nearby structures for wider coverage, and pay special attention to dark corners and potential hiding spots used by predators. Utilise multiple lights to cover different angles and eliminate blind spots.
Secondly, reinforce your chicken run with sturdy, predator-proof fencing. Install a timer-controlled automatic coop door that closes at dusk and opens at dawn. Combine lights with sound-based deterrents for added protection. Regularly patrol the coop area, especially during the first few hours after dusk, and ensure your coop is built with predator resistance in mind, using strong materials and secure latches.
Before installing motion-activated lights, check local regulations and inform your neighbours to avoid potential conflicts over light disturbance. Remember to also consider the impact on other local wildlife and avoid excessive illumination.
While motion-activated lights can be beneficial, some predators may eventually become accustomed to them. Therefore, it is essential to combine lighting with other security measures and regularly inspect your coop for signs of damage or attempted entry by predators.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use hardware cloth or wire mesh secured with staples and buried a few inches under the ground. This will prevent predators from digging under the fencing.
You can create a perimeter predator apron by running a wire mesh around the base of your chicken coop and letting the grass grow through it.
Brush the bottom of the posts with an oil-based exterior varnish to fill the wood grain and minimize frost heave.
Bury the wire fencing at least 6-12 inches deep to prevent predators from digging under.
Install motion-activated lights or alarms to startle and deter nocturnal predators. You can also install an electric fence around the chicken run to comply with safety guidelines and regulations.
