I may also earn a commission when you buy through other links on my site. Sharing an inspired life from the New England seaside. The second layer of protection could be an expertly designed predator-proof chicken coop (Amazon), which is a secure enclosure that keeps chickens safe against predators. Placing a predator apron is much easier than the old method of digging a trench 12 inches deep all the way around the perimeter of your chicken coop and burying some fencing into the ground. Instead of walking over and around your chickens tunnels around the yard, why not build up and construct an elevated pass over or bridge? In theory, it is. The chicken moat provides a clean edge around the garden, keeping down the migration of unwanted grasses, weeds and insects into our plot. The book details all of Bastiens adventures, from building a beehive and becoming a beekeeper to creating her own laundry and dish soap. To have a predator-proof chicken tunnel, you'll need wiring that is designed to protect your chickens. It also creates a ledge to help secure the frame to the ground. Determine chicken predators that live in your area. I fenced both fowl and cropswith a chicken moat. Some predators dig, while others burrow. First and foremost, your chickens will be happy little birds. Photo by Kimberlee Bastien. For some reason, predators love to start digging in the corners. In 2007, Long presented another coop idea in Portable Chicken Mini-Coop Plan. A floor made of solid material, such as concrete, will make it difficult for predators to dig their way in. I grew up with backyard chickens and I can't imagine living without them. 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. Choose two-step locks or ones that require the use of opposable thumbs to get open. Cheap Chicken Coop Ideas With a Used Truck Frame. For this green coop, we simulated the shape of the classic hoop house or high tunnel. This is just in case some of the animals dont get scared of the predator deterrent lights. This portable unit costs about $370 and weighs less than 50 pounds with all of the mesh and fittings included. Build this easy adobe bread and pizza oven in your backyard over the weekend. In rainy or snowy climates, a tarp thrown over a coop of this shape will shelter the birds without puddles of water or snow weight distorting the wire. 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. His discussion of worm composting bins beneath the aisles in his hoophouses (which serve as winter chicken houses) is also fascinating. You must move it from tree to tree every few days because it wont take long for your chickens to fertilize the area and scratch away anything that dare grows. We chose to build ours 12 feet long, so we used 12-foot 1-by-3 boards and 12 feet of wire mesh. (Two years ago, when our neighbors garden was nearly devastated by grasshoppers, our hens gorged themselves on the invading horde and saved our plot.) My favorite way to lock raccoons out of the chicken coop is with a weatherproof, titanium lock (Amazon) and a hasp (Amazon). If you like to feed your hens treats(And who doesnt? Chickens have a natural instinct to sleep off the ground and by giving them a roost inside they will feel secure and want to go into the coop at night. By using Coke bottle greenhouses, I avoid this issue. Various materials are used in constructing a chunnel which range from, Chickeneers put their thinking caps on and come up with some. Its going to take a good bit of work to build your moat: Construct it of durable materials so you wont have to do the job again later. Allows the chickens the ability to outside for extended periods of time during periods or rain and snow. It also allows your chickens to get up off the ground to higher levels of safety. 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. Safe and sound! Some predators seek out chickens from the air and others hunt on the surface. Some people have commented they thought theyd have to choose between their chickens or their garden but this solution accommodates both! Raccoons are so smart that they can open any lock that a 2 year old child can. Unfortunately most people think about predator proofing after they lose a flock member or two. Can they kill a chicken or chicks, introduce disease, or even steal my flock? Can you imagine having to try to figure out what to do with that? At 39 1/2 inches wide and just under 9 feet long, its roomy for up to four birds, even with a third of it acting as an enclosed shelter. Make sure even the smallest of holes are secured. Be extra careful when you cut the two full 18-inch circles because youll use those pieces as lids. Consider planting taller perennials to pull double duty as forage and cover from predators. Readers, this is the second of 12 basic homestead skills well be presenting throughout the year from Kimberlee Bastiens new book, 52 Homestead Skills. Garden pests are stopped by the chicken buffer on their way to destroy your fresh veggies. 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. We used a cordless drill to punch holes in the plastic and wired these pieces of plastic to the frame. If you are planning to leave them and let them stay in it you'll want to make sure its predator proof. I know I told you above to make sure your chickens had cover to run to in the event an aerial predator like a hawk or owl is scanning the ground for lunch. But youre smarter than they are. Very similar to photo above, but not as . Minks, mice, rats and snakes can squeeze through chicken wire and fisher cats are strong enough to pull the wire apart and gain access. By positioning your tunnel in the right place, your garden will have fewer pests because chickens love insects! To make a secure chunnel, youll start with a 4-foot-wide roll of 16-gauge, galvanized wire mesh. 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. You can have signs of predators all around you but none will dare come near the coop. Chickens are tireless workers who love to scratch (its basically all they do), and are great help when it comes to controlling grass, weeds, and bugs. But those same trees, bushes, and grasses that serve as a cover for free-range chickenscan also hide ground predators. Also. Thank you Pasindu! To keep the seam secure, you can use hog rings and a hog ring plier to fasten the fencing material where it overlaps. This protective enclosure for the garden uses chickens as an effective garden pest control along with a moat to protect your crops. But not only that, chicken wire is only designed to keep chickens in not predators out. Fowl Stuff is a Michigan company that has designed an injection-molded cover that adapts 3- and 5-gallon pails for use as nesting boxes. Hardware cloth is more secure and has the durability to withstand a hungry predator. It will also sit on a 4-by-10-foot raised garden bed. Wherever you would use chicken wire, such as window areas for ventilation, around the bottom, or to make the run, use hardware cloth instead. When chickens are overcrowded it makes them susceptible to bad behavior such as feather picking and diseases and illness. It sits neatly on a 4-by-10-foot raised garden bed, with a little room to spare so the chickens wont throw all the dirt out of the bed. Nothing other than insects can penetrate this wire! 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. Stop approximately 4 inches short of the outside ends. This portable predator proof chicken coop DIY is low-cost and easy to make for just about anyone. Youd also be wise to dig a trench and partly bury the outer fence (holding it down with cedar stakes) to discourage burrowing varmints. Predator proofing the coop Your coop should be made of strong, sturdy materials that cannot be penetrated by digging paws and gnashing teeth. A predator apron is simply fencing material that is installed above the ground and runs along the perimeter of the chicken coop and enclosed run. Predators are constantly finding new ways to get to their prey, so it is important to have multiple layers of protection. There will be less bullying and picking at each other since the tunnels provide room to roam and spread out. Build it with a slope or pitch so snow slides off easily. Another option for securing the bottom of the coop is to use a singleelectric wire near the ground so that a predator such as a rat or a raccoon will get its nose shocked when it tries to burrow under. These dogs naturally seem to be paranoid and spend time patrolling the property, barking at anything that comes on their radar, and peeing all over the place to let others know theyre there. It's 1x2 rectangle fencing wrapped in chicken wire 4 ' long. It will take them more time to chew through a solid floor. If you simply can not remember to close up your chickens at night or youre not home in the evenings, the best way to protect your flock is to take advantage of a nifty piece of modern technology: automatic chicken doors. The birds shelter in an enclosure at one end made of the same durable yet easy-to-work corrugated plastic that the postal service uses in its mail tubs, and a cleverly fitted 5-gallon pail with a special cover serves as a nest box. Flimsy, poor quality products, such as hinges, are easy for larger, more agile predators to destroy and gain entry. Consider diggers. It gets cold here in the winters and hot here in the summers. To see how you can quickly build a predator apron, watch the video below (or keep reading). Map the route for your chicken tunnel while taking into consideration the specifications of your back yard. We are using a chicken tunnel from the chicken run to the garden. However, sometimes it is not feasible for the chicken to be allowed to roam freely where they want to go. Try motion activated lights to spook predators away. Step 1. Your best defense against predators is having a fox and badger proof chicken coop. They will be stress free and this helps to keep your flock healthy and happy. This has to be the coolest component of chunnels that we have seen! They preferred the cover of pine trees and one by one, they were eventually taken by Barred owls. Having multiple layers of protection is the best way to keep your chickens safe from predators. The first layer of protection should be a predator apron. I use galvanized poultry staples because they dont rust like regular staples, and theyre strong enough to keep predators out. Currently, she is a professor of Horticulture, an Education Specialist, and pest specialist. 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. You are using an out of date browser. A flimsy wire that bends easily is definitely not recommended. But many folks swear by placing a guard goose in with their flock to warn of attacking predators and scare them off. Amanda Rose Newton holds degrees in Horticulture, Biochemistry, Entomology, and soon a PhD in STEM Education. Although a bit more expensive, it will last longer and be more resistant to rot and deterioration in the elements. Growers Supply sells the 4-millimeter twin-wall corrugated plastic we used to form the coops shelter. I helped care for about 80 chickens in TN, but now live in CO. With the current shortage of serfs, the practice has fallen out of favor. to incorporate chunnels in a backyard, around a garden, up and over existing chunnels, and even underground passes. In white, it comes in 8-foot-wide rolls and costs about $10 per foot. But free-range birds are often taken by foxes, bobcats, hawks, dogs or other predators, so unless you have guardian dogs that can keep predators away, your best option is probably a portable chicken coop that gives the chickens access to fresh grass and dirt every day while also keeping them protected. It has been a challenge. This portable predator proof chicken coop DIY is low-cost and easy to make for just about anyone. Thats half the fun of raising chickens) make sure you clean up any scraps they leave behind. Of course, the ramp leading up to the bridge needs to be gradual enough to allow your chickens to maneuver their way up and down. All were shrink-wrapped. Official BYC Poll: How Often Do You Clean Your Coop? 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. 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. Also, its important to realize that raccoons have paws that work a lot like human hands and theyre very smart when it comes to opening your chicken coop door! As long as you have a decent-sized backyard and a little bit of free time and patience, you can enjoy raising chickens and their delicious eggs. To have a predator-proof chicken tunnel, youll need wiring that is designed to protect your chickens. Just make sure the grass around the perimeter isnt tall enough to short out the fence. Make sure to pay close attention to the corners where you attach the seams of the fencing material together. Many thanks for this valuable and detailed post about Chicken Tunnels For The Garden. These portable chicken coops are designed so that either end drops down for access to feeders and waterers, and to allow your chickens out while youre there to supervise (your presence should deter predators). 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! Chicken wire is not a good choice for the predator-proof chicken coop and run. CHICKEN DIY: 20 FUN-TO-MAKE PROJECTS FOR HAPPY, HEALTHY CHICKENS, STARTER COOPS: FOR YOUR CHICKENS' FIRST HOME, Large Chicken Tractor Plans for Raising Broilers. If you open windows to provide ventilation for your coop, make sure you protect them with scraps of leftover hardware cloth or wire mesh. Youll need to adjust this for every tree. However, the coop requires a fair amount of carpentry skills to build, and the cost of the materials and the required tools are beyond some folks budgets. With the help of another person, roll out the wire mesh over the boards, stapling it even with the outside edge of the boards as you go. Its crammed with information, and every poultry keeper will refer to it again and again. To cinch the mesh to the plastic framing, we used 17-gauge smooth galvanized wire, which is easy to bend yet durable. This can be used in addition to basic precautions such as a coop floor and hardware cloth. Plus, nothing can beat those farm-fresh eggs! This allows for easy accessibility for you to clean, maintain, feed and visit with your flock easily. He will try this for sure. Then, screw the 1-by-3 boards into the end caps. But anything like a raccoon that would climb a fence will get zapped and discouraged. Keeping chickens is a fun and exciting hobby. https://bit.ly/2NKhV0EJoin our channel to get access to perks ~ ht. Above Ground Chicken Tunnels Fencing Instead of chicken wire opt for 1/2 inch hardware cloth instead. Looking for some movable chicken coop ideas? The main part of the chicken coop and the attached predator proof run are open 24/7. If you use this system in early spring, your chickens will also take care of any overwintering pests. When you build a chicken coop, make sure to provide them with indoor roosts. There are four basic shapes used in permanent, semi-permanent, and movable chicken tunnels. I will definitely send this post to him. The easiest way to do it is to let it run along the fence, starting from the coop. It's a great idea for your coop to have windows because in the winter the chickens will spend most of their time in there, the light and view of the outdoors will help a lot. Its amazing the way they can manage to get into the coop when they really are determined to do so! In my experience, these fences rarely work to keep chickens in, but they will keep predators out. Depending on the size of your predators (bears! Photo by Kimberlee Bastien. It's sturdy and not easily ripped open, unlike chicken wire which is not predator-proof and better left for the craft cabinet. You should move it on a regular basis to provide your chickens with regular forage and to avoid over-fertilization of a single spot. When the predator tries to dig down, theyll immediately be foiled by your predator-proof chicken coop! If you really dont want nighttime animals to be around your coop in the first place, what really works for me are 2 things. By paying now with a credit card, you save an additional $5 and get 6 issues of GRIT for only $21.95 (USA only). Instead of walking over and around your chickens tunnels around the yard, why not build up and construct an elevated pass over or bridge? !Thanks for watching please like the video subscribe to the channel (it. Works like a charm! It is important that every chicken has enough space to feel like they can move around. Netting should never be used because it offers no protection. Buy six-foot fencing (in quantity to save money) of a heavier, more durable gauge than regular chicken wire. A chicken tunnel, also known as a chunnel, is an extension of the chicken coop/run. Tunnels provide your chickens places to do what comes naturally, and thats to scratch and pick at the ground. You are using an out of date browser. It can be made from wood and shingles, corrugated metal, or even plastic sheeting used in greenhouses. 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. In addition, a raised coop reduces moisture, which can cause rot. (Side perk: It will keep your hens from eating their own eggs.). This is great except when youre planting fruit trees that cant compete with the grass. Theyre always on the lookout and will set off an alarm call that sends the rest of the flock running for cover. Surprisingly, chicken wire was designed to keep chickens in but not predators out. Circo Innovations offers three styles of coop frame kits to MOTHER EARTH NEWS readers (see list below). Lauren Arcuri Ware is an expert in homesteading, including raising chickens for eggs and meat, keeping bees, growing fruits and vegetables, and preserving. They will need a place or two where they can quickly run to hide when they sense danger. Building your own coop out of quality wood materials is the best way to ensure your coop is predator-proof. Make sure you construct your coop with heavy gauge hardware. Not to mention, keeping food put away will keep the rats out of your chicken coop. The Chicken Super-Highway: Amazing Chicken Tunnels. This super-lightweight, low-cost option works fine if you can place it inside a fenced yard or garden. The pieces of the coop frames glue together easily, strongly and permanently. Many chicken predators are omnivores and just as happy to snack on your feed as they are on your chickens. Installing 1-by-3 boards around the perimeter of the fertilization station roof will create slots for holding the wire-mesh walls in place and also allow you to lock the roof down to prevent predators from lifting it. Other colors are available but cost more. You may want to install a handle or drill a hole so you can easily remove the lid just keep raccoons in mind. 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). Build a Movable Coop for Around Trees Tools & Materials 2 sheets of 1/2-inch plywood, 4 by 8 feet 4-foot piece of string JavaScript is disabled. Leg problems. Soda Bottle Greenhouse Seedlings Get a Head Start. Rustic Gingerbread Barn Template and Recipe. A friend of mine raises chicken. 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! Roosters can be a great way to protect your backyard chicken flock from predators. You can get as creative as you want in building a chunnel. Weve got one of the best predator proof chicken coop plans. Official BYC Poll: How Often Do You Clean Your Coop? Next, scribe three smaller 18-inch circles within the larger circle. At GRIT, we have a tradition of respecting the land that sustains rural America. For example the runs are made from extra heavy duty steel weld mesh and have anti tunnel . About Us | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Cookie Policy / GDPR. Of course, the ramp leading up to the bridge needs to be gradual enough to allow your chickens to maneuver their way up and down. My moat is simply a strip of dry land, enclosed by two parallel fences, which surrounds my familys garden. I set out to create a coop design that would be low-cost, easy to build, light enough to move easily and scaled to fit well even in small backyards, Long wrote. Watch Now: How to Truss a chicken Article Sources 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. I know, I know. The Garden Ark chicken tractor is an open-floored mobile chicken coop, perfect for housing a small flock of backyard hens. To raise chickens, you don't need a lot of money or land. Is 12 to 18 inches wide enough for a chicken tunnel? Free Chicken Coop Plans is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The most common livestock guardian dog breeds are Great Pyrenees. , Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures. This circle will provide the space for a young tree to pass through.