Hardware cloth/height question

[horror_trashcan]

Will nailing hardware cloth on the entire underneath of the coop prevent things from pushing the floorboards in? I will also be adding tin on the sides so it would be even harder to get underneath the coop to begin with.
Also, would lifting the coop higher do anything for me or would I just be wasting time? It's currently atop two sideways cinderblocks low enough for a weasel to let itself in so I assume it should be higher.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Make it so it folds over the sides to be nailed, I used screws with washers to lock it in.

 

[Down Under]

I am a little confused, pushing your floor boards into what ?

If your floor board are nailed down and there are no major gaps then not much would get through.

Also if your coop is that close to the ground then make sure nothing will get in there as snakes, rats and mice will love it. Most lift their coops off the ground to give their chickens somewhere to be dry or dust bathe though.

 

[horror_trashcan]

I am a little confused, pushing your floor boards into what ?

If your floor board are nailed down and there are no major gaps then not much would get through.

Also if your coop is that close to the ground then make sure nothing will get in there as snakes, rats and mice will love it. Most lift their coops off the ground to give their chickens somewhere to be dry or dust bathe though.

My coop is off the floor I have another post with some pictures before it was fully finished. It is on an incline so it is several inches lower in the front than it is in the back. High enough for no mice but low enough for something to reach the floor from underneath.

They push the boards upward into the coop.

It is not built 'up to code' and the floorboards are able to be pushed up in several spots even though they are nailed down. Obviously I did not anticipate an animal pushing them up and squeezing in and focused on the walls and roof more.
This is why I am considering an entire layer of hardware cloth since the floor is not going to be able to be fixed properly. If they can't even reach the boards they can't get in the coop.

 

[Down Under]

I just looked at the photo's and I am lost for words... I didn't know there was a code for chicken coops but I think you are correct with saying it is not 'up to code'.

Have you thought about finding a shell of a wrecked car with its windows and doors to use as a chicken coop? It would be about the same size as what you are building and already be secure against predators. If you found one that was wrecked in the front you could use the trunk as a big nesting box.

 

[horror_trashcan]

I just looked at the photo's and I am lost for words... I didn't know there was a code for chicken coops but I think you are correct with saying it is not 'up to code'.

Have you thought about finding a shell of a wrecked car with its windows and doors to use as a chicken coop? It would be about the same size as what you are building and already be secure against predators. If you found one that was wrecked in the front you could use the trunk as a big nesting box.

I didn't think it was that entirely horrible. It is much bigger than it looks I guess and no unfortunately there aren't junk cars laying around.

 

[Down Under]

Sorry I didn't want to sound mean but I cannot see any 'structure' in it... usually we build structures and then clad them.

 

[horror_trashcan]

Sorry I didn't want to sound mean but I cannot see any 'structure' in it... usually we build structures and then clad them.

It was made entirely of scrap wood so I was unable to create a proper structure and opted to use the 2x4s on the floor so it would be safe to walk on. I built it alone with no prior knowledge. None of this has to do with my original questions.

 

[Down Under]

Ok it is good for a first attempt and to answer your question, no hardware cloth will not stop things pushing the floorboards in. Hardware cloth is what we call rodent mesh down here and is not very strong.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Yes, securing hardware cloth would surely help stop any entry to the underside of your coop. I fasten mine with fence staples every 4 inches but as suggested by others folding it over at the edges and using fender washers and screws is also good added security.