Has anyone tried concrete poured trench to keep out digging predators?

[alalele]

I'm thinking of digging a trench and pouring a concrete footer under (and outside surrounding) the chicken run (which is a 5x10 covered dog kennel).

The other thing I'm planning is installing 3 foot hardware cloth (already have it) to secure around the bottom of the kennel because the hurricane fencing holes are too big and not strong enough on it's own, but I want to make sure the concrete trench will be a good idea. Anyone try it?

 

[shmooborp]

i know some people have done similar things! like dig a trench -then put fencing in trench-then poured concrete in trech so things cant dig under and fence wont fall down..

 

[Dinos_rock]

My dad built a chicken coop and he did that. It keeps the rabbits in, and so far nothing has come in. The only real predators we have (that I know of) are snakes, neighboorhood dogs, and coyotes. If its not too expensive, I'd do it just to be safe...

 

[patandchickens]

USUALLY the thing to watch out for with a poured predator-proof footing like that is the likelihood of uneven frostheave messing up your fence if you don't dig deep enough... except, quite obviously that will not be an issue in where you are

However there is still the cost. Unless you or a relative can get 'leftover' concrete for free, those cubic feet add up surprisingly quickly.

It would be cheaper and easier, and nearly as good, to just take large concrete pavers (like the 18" or 2' square or rectangular kind) or cinderblocks, whatever you can scavenge for cheap or free, and bury them in your trench.

Nothing actually *wrong* with a poured footing if you can afford it tho.

Have fun,

Pat

 

[JennsPeeps]

Saw a post recently where someone had done it & thought it overkill. Can't remember who. All I could think when I saw it was that you'd have a BIG project if you ever decided to relocate or enlarge the run.

We're going to bend the fencing so that it splays out about a foot then put cement blocks along the bottom of the fencing to prevent critters from digging.

 

[Ellie]

I put wire around my coop on the ground. Then I took the cement sacks and just poured the dry cement over it. After that, I simply poured water on the dry cement with the hose. It was an easy way to do it and nothing has been able to get in.

I did a few other things like that too. You can always break it up and remove later if you don't like it, but at the same time, animals can't scratch it. Now, the only drawback, is that sometimes it is not very smooth. A little bumpy, but that does not bother me any.

I used less cement too!

Ellie

 

[Salt and Light]

Recently, I also poured concrete around the base of my run. I simply dug down about 6 inches, poured in some concrete and hit it with the hose. EZPZ. I guess only time will tell if it keeps out the animals. Oh, I also tied up my dog next the chicken run! <smile>

 

[alalele]

All good points! I hadn't realized it would be a big expense and maybe I'll try concrete pavers instead incase the run ever has to be moved. Thanks for all the advice!

 

[Salt and Light]

There is nothing expensive about it. All it cost me was two 40# of concrete; less than $10.00, I think.

 

[My Little Sister's Farm]

my less permenant choice was to put chicken wire down and out a foot (attached it to the fense 2 feet up and 1 ft on the ground in an L shape) because the only thing we really have that digs is coyotes and they only will dig right up against the fence. supposedly they won't move out and actually try to go under the wire, but we've yet to see so much as a raccoon as road kill let along something that'd take out a hen house. (knocking on wood as we speak of course!!!)