best way to skirt the chicken run

[chicksbunsdog]

So our coop has been under construction for the past few months in my garage but as fall is approaching, I'd really like to get my garage back for my car, not to mention the chickens will be arriving soon. So, we need to move the coop out into the yard but before that, we need to prepare the site. Originally, we were thinking, we had to dig down 1-2 feet in order to bury the hardware cloth but this would be an enormous undertaking given our rocky, rooty soil. So, now we're thinking it's easier (and hopefully, just as good) to skirt the hardware out to the sides of the base of the run to prevent predators from digging under. My question is, do we still have to dig down and bury it 1-2 inches or so or is it adequate to just lay it down on top of the grass and maybe top with pavers or sand or something?
Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

[Sebrightsrock]

I would just put on top of the grass and if it's heavy enough it will slowly just sink down although you will problably have to plant new grass.

 

[LiveFree603]

We did not bury the hardware cloth for our run and just ran it 1 1/2' up the sides and 1 1/2' along the ground from the base. We pinned it down with the metal pins that are typically used for staking down weedblock and then topped it with crushed gravel. That's worked fine for us- no problems with predators burrowing in.

 

[Judy]

I agree, just put it on top. You might want to weight it down in spots with rocks or something, at least for a while. Hopefully the grass will grow through it and hold it. You may even be able to mow over it eventually. You could also use some sort of staples to secure it, but I have no idea what to tell you to look for -- sort of two tent stakes with a bar across the top to grab the wire. Maybe bend some cut up wire coat hangers?

Be sure the piece on the ground is secured to the coop so nothing can make a hole in between the two.

 

[chicksbunsdog]

Thanks so much for the feedback! Will check home depot and the local agway store for some sort of stake to help keep the wire down around the edges and we'll definitely have it attached to the bottom of the run with screws and fender washers. Hopefully that should do the trick.