Paving slabs under run - mortar required?

[AnnieGlee]

Hi everyone. I have never kept chickens before and have found this forum very useful for advice. I am planning to put their coop and permanent run on paving slabs, covered with sand. My question is, do the paving slabs need be set in mortar to prevent foxes from tunneling in and pushing the slabs up, or will the paving slabs be heavy enough to be fox-proof anyway? These are the slabs we've bought - 400x400mm utility slabs from Wickes: http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Derby-Utility-Paving-Slab-400x400mm-Buff-Single/p/224700

Thanks!

 

[Bryant Redhawk]

If set tight to each other and you use a row around the exterior of the run, those should not require any mortar. the size is very good and at 10 kilos each they should be heavy enough to deter foxes. I like the 40 cm square size and the thickness is fairly good too.

if you are worried it isn't going to be enough, then 1/2" heavy gauge hardware cloth underneath would definitely do the trick. The biggest thing with foxes is to make sure they have to dig a long tunnel to get into the run, this would be at least 30cm away from the outside of the run fencing.

 

[AnnieGlee]

That's very helpful, thank you!