Question about using cinder blocks for coop and run

[townhen]

I'm still in the planning stages for our coop (though hopefully will start building soon!) and was wondering about burying cinder blocks around the perimeter of the coop and run to keep predators/ pests out. The coop and run area will be approximately 10 x 5 for a maximum of 6 chickens (the most allowed by our town). The cinder blocks would be buried to a depth of 8 inches and the wooden coop and run would rest directly on top, with hardware cloth buried outside of the cinder blocks as an extra layer of protection against burrowing critters. Even though we are in town, we have a little bit of everything passing through our yard - including foxes. My question is, is the eight inches that the cinder blocks are buried deep enough to deter hungry wildlife, or does an additional layer of blocks need to be buried even deeper? I want some reassurances before I start on this project. Thanks!

 

[matt44644]

 

[RonP]

8" might not be deep enough alone, but your apron will work great.

I used a 24 inch apron of fencing. This works just fine.

Most predators will dig deep but not smart enough to start a foot or so back from the fence.

Hope this helps.

 

[townhen]

Good to know... I'll make sure I make my apron extends out extra far... sound much easier than digging down and adding an extra layer of cinder blocks.

 

[Cluckies]

We used cinder blocks buried, and then capped them with 4" pavers. We didn't bury hardware cloth, but we are on clay which is cement 11 months out of the year. If it was sand or dirt I would bury some hardware cloth. If I see any sign of a predator trying to get in by digging, i'll rethink that.

 

[alica31]

WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME TO BYC!!!

 

[RonP]

We used cinder blocks buried, and then capped them with 4" pavers. We didn't bury hardware cloth, but we are on clay which is cement 11 months out of the year. If it was sand or dirt I would bury some hardware cloth. If I see any sign of a predator trying to get in by digging, i'll rethink that.

Do you have issues with frost lifting your foundation?

 

[Cluckies]

Do you have issues with frost lifting your foundation?

None yet, but this is our first winter with it.

 

[CluckinA]

None yet, but this is our first winter with it.

How did this go? Update?

 

[Cluckies]

How did this go? Update?

Been many years, have had no issues with the blocks.
Neither predators nor the blocks lifting. still working great! you can click on "my coop" to see it. The first smaller run the blocks were buried one deep with 4x8x16" on op, the newer bigger run is 2 blocks buried with the 4x8x16 on top (the ground is at a slant and I wanted at least one whole block buried. I did add a hoop house run onto the back (northside), that one I did not put on cinder blocks, and I put hardwareclothe going outword approx. 18"