Create your own DIY chicken coop using a truck frame and some basic carpentry skills. To see how you can quickly build a predator apron, watch the video below (or keep reading). Not to mention, keeping food put away will keep the rats out of your chicken coop. For some reason, predators love to start digging in the corners. It is important that every chicken has enough space to feel like they can move around. The rectangular coop kit is less expensive because it doesn't use pre-bent hoops, and because the white pipe is less costly. The pieces of the coop frames glue together easily, strongly and permanently. I personally dont use chicken wire because predators can easily tear through it. Small coops can be encircled with electric poultry netting to keep predators away. Its crammed with information, and every poultry keeper will refer to it again and again. I believe that simple living leads to a better life. The completed rectangular coop kit costs around $300 less than the hooped coop, because it uses less expensive white plastic pipe, but it requires slightly more welded wire mesh. Chicken wire doesnt last nearly as long as more sturdy options. Finally, another way to help protect your chickens is to keep the coop clean and free of food scraps. buy a bunch of 1/2x1/4 hardware cloth, AKA cage wire. I didnt know they were a good covering for the outside run area. With a predator-proof chicken coop, hardware cloth (Amazon), a predator apron, deterrent spikes (Amazon), and predator deterrent lights (Amazon), I havent lost a chicken to predators in over 20 years! Man, some of these guys are crafty! Do use 1/2 inch hardware cloth to secure openings in your coop. Either way, youll have a blast building them. Center it over the ends, and affix it to the top of each end cap with a large washer and a screw. LaySomeEggs.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for websites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This pen is framed with 1-inch Schedule 40 plastic pipe, and its walls are covered with 1-by-2-inch welded wire mesh. Throughout the day, the hen patrol moves all around the garden (but never in it), munching on all those things hens love: weeds, seeds, worms, tiny pieces of stones and (best of all) bugs. Electric fencing around the coop and run helps keep many land predators out too. All in all, its a clever solution to the fowl raisers dilemma of whether to fence the birds or the garden: Fence both! Find the center, and, using a 4-foot piece of string as a guide, scribe an 8-foot-wide circle on the boards. Circo offers a discount of 30 percent on orders of four kits or more. (Remember, some predators can squeeze into remarkably small openings.). There will be less bullying and picking at each other since the tunnels provide room to roam and spread out. These are often constructed by digging a trench down 12 around the entire perimeter of your chicken run and burying the hardware cloth beneath the ground. This chicken run does not require any experience with woodworking or even using a lot of equipment. Predators seek out chickens in a number of ways. Be extra careful when you cut the two full 18-inch circles because youll use those pieces as lids. A drop-down door on the coop end can be opened to let the chickens out, and offers nest box access. Some smaller predators, like rats, can easily chew their way through the coop floor in just one night, so it cant hurt to protect the floor too! First, if given a choice, your chickens will spend at least some of their time ranging on your front porch, leaving a welcome mat of droppings for anyone who comes to visit. We've got one of the best predator proof chicken coop plans. Chickens, Bees, Gardens, Art and Yummy Goodness. Robin Matheris a senior associate editor at MOTHER EARTH NEWSand the author of The Feast Nearby, a collection of essays and recipes from her year of eating locally on $40 a week. The wire mesh, corrugated plastic, J-clips and a pair of J-clip pliers add about $115 to the cost of each frame kit (and you will have lots of wire mesh and plastic leftover). Minks, mice, rats and snakes can squeeze through chicken wire and fisher cats are strong enough to pull the wire apart and gain access. Of course, if youd like to use your own materials, you can see detailed diagrams on Circos website. When chickens are overcrowded it makes them susceptible to bad behavior such as feather picking and diseases and illness. How would you recommend attaching the hardwire cloth to the frame? I installed 4 of these little gadgets around my chicken coop, facing out in all four directions. I guess they would have to be changed out pretty often. "Nothing should be able to get into a properly constructed coop," she said. Alternately, you can bury a predator apron just below the surface of the soil, parallel to . Make sure you construct your coop with heavy gauge hardware. And be sure to make at least one gate wider than the widest object (garden cart, tiller, whatever) you will. The area just in front of the bottom of your fence lines is wasted space. Having the chicken tunnel fence act as the third support wall of the tunnel, you spend less money on materials. The chicken moat provides a clean edge around the garden, keeping down the migration of unwanted grasses, weeds and insects into our plot. There are four basic shapes used in permanent, semi-permanent, and movable chicken tunnels. If you like to feed your hens treats(And who doesnt? Map the route for your chicken tunnel while taking into consideration the specifications of your back yard. It also allows your chickens to get up off the ground to higher levels of safety. Choose two-step locks or ones that require the use of opposable thumbs to get open. This material is strong and flexible, simple to work with, and is easily cut with an X-Acto or utility knife. Tunnels provide your chickens places to do what comes naturally, and thats to scratch and pick at the ground. Really, it just depends on how severe of a predator problem youre dealing with. Bury hardware cloth 12 inches down all around the coop to protect from rodents and other burrowing animals. A simple way to accomplish this is to cut a piece of string 4 feet long, use it to create the curve, then trace and cut it out. Canadian Subscribers International Subscribers, Canadian subscriptions: 1 year (includes postage & GST). Take your hens a few treats in the evening and pass them out in the coop. The run is the outside portion of the chicken area. Having multiple layers of protection is the best way to keep your chickens safe from predators. From the aforementioned motion activated lights to ultrasonic devices, to predator lights meant to look like eyes (and other eye deterrents), ground spikes, and reflective tape (or aluminum pie pans), there are a lot of products on the market. At some point, youre guaranteed to accidentally step in it right before you hop in your car or truck and wonder, What the heck is that nasty smell?. Because we sometimes house our chickens in the chunnel overnight, we decided to cut some old wire shelving we had on hand and stick it in the ground along the edges of the chicken tunnel to prevent predators from digging underneath. By paying with a credit card, you save an additional $5 and get 6 issues of MOTHER EARTH NEWS for only $17.95 (USA only). Use Two Step Locks. Although a bit more expensive, it will last longer and be more resistant to rot and deterioration in the elements. Hardware cloth is more secure and has the durability to withstand a hungry predator. At MOTHER EARTH NEWS for 50 years and counting, we are dedicated to conserving our planet's natural resources while helping you conserve your financial resources. Position your trap near your coop and entice the predators with bait that is even more luring than the chickens themselves will be. Its so light that one person can easily lift either end to shift it to new ground and fresh grass. Start kitchen gardening at home and become an expert in choosing the best crops and preparing your garden site. Whether you have a backyard, garden, or rural setting, you can build a fantastic superhighway for your feathered friends! Various materials are used in constructing a chunnel which range from wire to netting. Sharing an inspired life from the New England seaside. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Stop approximately 4 inches short of the outside ends. Although this design is predator-proof, it's not permanent. Circo Innovations offers three styles of coop frame kits to MOTHER EARTH NEWS readers (see list below). It is best to be proactive. When it comes to chicken coops, one of the most important things you can do to protect your flock is to make sure it is predator-proof. It scares foxes, deer, wolves, coyotes, skunks, bears, and many other nighttime predators. Urine and feces smell will keep predators at bay at night as well. Once a predator attacks, it will return. Got any pics? Build your gates strong and tighttheyre the weak links in the system. Do I need to build a shed with windows so I can have a heat lamp? For example the runs are made from extra heavy duty steel weld mesh and have anti tunnel . Step 2. Avoid chicken wire. !Thanks for watching please like the video subscribe to the channel (it. You can use whatever fasteners you have available just make sure you use them. We worked with Joe Ramey of Circo Innovations in Grass Valley, Calif. to design two easy-to-build coops that anyone from age 9 to 90 can assemble using no special tools. If you fail to collect eggs every day, they are sitting in there like little orbs of bait, attracting all kinds of predators. Just as the bridge for your chicken tunnel system, the underground passage is yet another ingenious integration of chicken tunneling. Shipping and taxes calculated at checkout. I grew up with backyard chickens and I can't imagine living without them. Hens are great converters of kitchen waste into valuable manure for the garden, and every chicken owner we know takes a lot of pleasure in just watching the chickens noodle around in the yard. However, when faced with that classic country conundrum, Do I fence the garden or the chickens? I decided to make a modern adaptation of that medieval practice. Most people have some form of aerial predators. Secure the top of the chicken run with aviary netting or deer netting. Our expert outlines processing used cooking oil in a small DIY plant. Make sure even the smallest of holes are secured. This is actually the first time I have seen such an idea. A chicken moat is not a waterway, but it does provide a protective enclosure for the garden. This protective enclosure for the garden uses chickens as an effective garden pest control along with a moat to protect your crops. Unless you plan to use this system with meat chickens or, as in our case, your chickens are still young, you could expand upward. document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a3ead3c31a46b64c5beb24ba05a1c5ae" );document.getElementById("ba63d0f81a").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Make sure you can get into the moat (with a stepladder or extra gate) for needed maintenance. This new and improved incarnation of the portable chicken coop is designed for three to four chickens, and anybody can build it. To anyone thinking of getting one of those cute little coops. The less space you allow, the more prone your chickens will be in the event a predator reaches in to grab your chickens. Another great movable chicken run we utilize is our circular fertilization station that we use for controlling grass and pests around our young fruit trees. To cinch the mesh to the plastic framing, we used 17-gauge smooth galvanized wire, which is easy to bend yet durable. This allows the chickens a small protected area to eat and drink, even in the early morning or the evening. Add 1 3/4-inch lips along the straight edges of one of the plywood semicircles by attaching two 35-inch 1-by-4 boards. If you are planning to leave them and let them stay in it you'll want to make sure its predator proof. Other colors are available but cost more. Instead of walking over and around your chickens tunnels around the yard, why not build up and construct an elevated pass over or bridge? If you wish to construct a moat yourself, I offer the following suggestions: So there it is. Prevent climbing predators from accessing the chicken run from the top. A chicken tunnel, also known as a chunnel, is an extension of the chicken coop/run. The eggs of free-ranging chickens are much tastier and nutrient-packed. Whether its from hawks, owls, eagles, or falcons, the best way to deter them and make your chicken coop predator-proof is to screen the top of your chicken run. If you place a fertilization station around a tree for a few days, your chickens will remove any vegetation from around the base, eat pests, and deposit a healthy dose of manure. It's 1x2 rectangle fencing wrapped in chicken wire 4 ' long. Official BYC Poll: How Often Do You Clean Your Coop? Build it with a slope or pitch so snow slides off easily. They can forage for a good portion of their own food, while getting plenty of exercise and stimulation along the way. I think Advan Tech OSB Subfloor is a really great choice considering your chickens will be putting a lot of moisture on the floor from the top. Bury the chicken wire or hardware cloth 12 inches deep all along the run to add an additional barrier against burrowing predators. It seems that everything wants to eat chickens: neighborhood dogs, raccoons, foxes, weasels, and even chicken hawks. So, what exactly are the benefits of using a chicken tunnel? The third layer of protection could be to use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire. This not only creates more square footage of chicken space, but it helps them to move away from threats. What to Do with Chickens During a Tornado or Hurricane. Unroll the wire mesh so it runs the perimeter, then lift the plywood pieces, and place them on top of the wire mesh. But many folks swear by placing a guard goose in with their flock to warn of attacking predators and scare them off. After youve assembled the run, create a small door in the wire mesh so you can gather your chickens into a movable chunnel before disassembling and then reassembling the unit around the next tree. Next, screw and glue eight of the 4-inch 1-by-3 boards about every 3 feet along the inside perimeter of what will be the bottom side of the roof. Thank you Pasindu! By paying now with a credit card, you save an additional $5 and get 6 issues of GRIT for only $21.95 (USA only). Tiny invaders like mice may be able to sneak under without a shock, since the very bottom string doesnt always touch the ground. To prevent predators from reaching in and grabbing your chickens while they are in the chunnels, we recommend using a , 23-gauge predator-proof wire. And one last tip (the old free breakfast trick): Leave some old boards in the moat, and flip them over with a hoe handle each morning to expose hiding slugs. Many chicken predators are omnivores and just as happy to snack on your feed as they are on your chickens. Above Ground Chicken Tunnels Fencing Once you are done, you can sit back and enjoy the show. Also. All hardware should be heavy-duty and rustproof. LaySomeEggs.com may contain links to affiliate websites, and I receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. Want to be king or queen of all (the garden) you survey? The book details all of Bastiens adventures, from building a beehive and becoming a beekeeper to creating her own laundry and dish soap. To exclude deer and other critters, and to. for your chicken tunnel. Just like with the eggs sitting in the coop overnight, food scraps could work as a predator attractant. Today we are showing you a safe way to sorta free range your chickens.Hope you enjoy!! If you plan to move the chunnel, I recommend cutting a minimum of three 2-foot cross pieces from the optional 8-foot 1-by-3 board in the materials list, and fastening them across the bottom of the frame to keep everything solid. What size you choose will depend on the size of the predators in your area. Youll begin by cutting 1 1/2 inches off the ends of two of the 1-by-3 boards. In theory, it is. Boy, have we got some ideas for you! Beyond the usual chicken husbandry and health information, the book also includes great tips on how to put your flock to work to build soil fertility, plus information on how to draft and pass local laws to permit laying hens. I really recommend you replace any chicken wire with 1/4 inch hardware cloth (Amazon) because it really works to keep all sorts of predators out of the chicken coop. An electric training collar can be an invaluable tool if your dog is bred to go after chickens (like a retriever). You can use low cost materials or add in some better stuff either way, it is sturdy. Homemade biodiesel helps you speed past the gas station toward fuel independence. You will need to provide the welded wire mesh and other materials. Hi, Im hoping to get some chickens for eggs. Try motion activated lights to spook predators away. Various materials are used in constructing a chunnel which range from, Chickeneers put their thinking caps on and come up with some. Dont risk losing your backyard chickens to predators! This will deter predators from digging underneath the coop and getting to the chickens. In days gone by, rulers of kingdoms would protect themselves by ordering a few thousand serfs to build a moat around the family castle. (Side perk: It will keep your hens from eating their own eggs.). The book then takes the reader through every step of keeping backyard birds, from choosing a breed to using the eggs, as well as some philosophical asides, such as, Should I take a $5 chicken to the vet? The books style is easy and comfortable, with lots of humor tucked in. This portable predator proof chicken coop DIY is low-cost and easy to make for just about anyone. Can they kill a chicken or chicks, introduce disease, or even steal my flock? While you dont need all of these features on this list, I recommend you learn what the predators are in your area and tailor your coop to meet your needs. Mary Aug 28, 2022 #7 WIchickMama Free Ranging Aug 15, 2021 2,961 10,490 656 Western WI Rainbowdahling said: How would you recommend attaching the hardwire cloth to the frame? Pre-drill a hole through each pair of wooden stops for a locking screw. Something to consider when building your chunnel is that the frame and covering should be durable enough to withstand predators standing on it or reaching through. A roof: Allows the chickens the ability to outside for extended periods of time during periods or rain and snow. Order from the GRIT Store or by calling 800-234-3368. Hardware cloth is welded wire. To raise chickens, you don't need a lot of money or land. Chickeneers put their thinking caps on and come up with some unique ways to incorporate chunnels in a backyard, around a garden, up and over existing chunnels, and even underground passes. Height should be as tall as your largest chicken with an additional 6 and wide enough to accommodate two chickens passing through at the same time. How do you make chicken tunnels? Looking for some movable chicken coop ideas? Once you cut out one end (and double-check that it fits the wire mesh), copy it onto the other piece of plywood. This will help defend against predators like chicken hawks, and it will keep wild birds from mingling with your chickens. When an animal tries to dig underneath your coop, theyre not going to dig at the outskirts of the apron. This lip will act as a support for the other large plywood semicircle, which youll screw on when putting them together to create the roof. To have a predator-proof chicken tunnel, you'll need wiring that is designed to protect your chickens. The most common livestock guardian dog breeds are Great Pyrenees. To keep the seam secure, you can use hog rings and a hog ring plier to fasten the fencing material where it overlaps. Especially in conjunction with hardware cloth, this can be an effective approach. But not only that, chicken wire is only designed to keep chickens in not predators out. Heres how to keep your hens safe. They may even try to range themselves right into your house because those chickens are no fools; they know where the food and treats come from. They say, An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and I think this is definitely one area where you dont want to skimp! Thank you and I appreciate your input! The tunnel system allows you to give your chickens a large, protected area in which to range and distribute manure while staying safe from predators. One of the biggest mistakes you can make while keeping a flock of backyard chickens is to not provide them adequate predator protection. Movable chicken runs, such as a chicken tunnel (also called a chunnel) for garden pathways, or a round fertilization station to go around fruit trees, solve many of these problems. Here are some of the things I did when I designed my chicken coop and run. Nor is a frame constructed from materials that will collapse or bend easily. When considering design, one of the most important things that you want to think about is how to predator proof the run. Not only will they take out your whole flock, but they can wreak havoc on your coop itself. Predator Proof Design for All Seasons and Weather Be sure to add a roof. They get a thrill from free-ranging in the yard and garden. What is the material covering the ground in your outside run?