Trees in run - how to get the roof on

[Nicky S]

So we have finally got the run walls done - wooden frame with hard wire cloth, 1/4 inch. For the roof we have part with plastic corrugated sheeting so they have a dry and sunny area in winter. The rest will be the same as the walls. The issue is we have two birch trees and one mulberry in the run and I’m not sure of the best (safest and aesthetically pleasing) way to close off the area at the top. Each tree has several trunks and branches at roof height, so it’s tricky. The predators I want to protect against from the top are hawks and raccoons, pretty sure we don’t have weasels or other stuff like that. The gang is locked up at night, but I really want the run to be secure. I think the hardwire cloth will be super hard to work with trying to get around the trunks, it’s bad enough getting it onto the wood frames. I thought about making lots of small frames to fit between the trunks, but that feels very labor intensive. Or maybe building a lattice type thing with wood bars. If anyone has any bright ideas I’d love to hear them

 

[3KillerBs]

Anti-bird netting is probably the easiest to wrap around trees.

 

[aart]

Post pics of the situation. might get more suggestions.
Gonna pretty hard to exclude raccoons, hopefully the coop is tight at night.

pretty sure we don’t have weasels or other stuff like that.

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Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
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[Nicky S]

Anti-bird netting is probably the easiest to wrap around trees.

I was worried about raccoons getting in with the netting?

 

[Nicky S]

Post pics of the situation. might get more suggestions.
Gonna pretty hard to exclude raccoons, hopefully the coop is tight at night.


Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 3094916

Oh yes, thanks - added my location (southern CT). I have Eglu coops...they are supposed to be predator proof but I do worry about the handles. The raccoons did make a visit one night and there were paw prints all over the coop like they'd taken a really good investigation of it, but thankfully didn't get in. That was over 6 months ago and I haven't seen anything since, though they were fighting in my neighbor's yard a couple of months back.

I really don't think anything will happen during the day, I'm just trying to avoid that one odd day where I'm back late and they aren't locked in the coop, or if a mother raccoon happens to be out in the day looking for food for her babies - only seen it once in 10 years, but it could happen I guess. Only other predator other than hawks and raccoons I have seen twice in 10 years is a lone coyote traveling through the area, not in our yard, but I think what we have is pretty coyote proof. We have possums and skunks but I think they are not a risk to adults? We also have a rooster who should protect the ladies, though he has to sleep inside at night.

I'll add pics later when I get back out to the run. My main worry is it looking ok - I don't want neighbors to be upset if it's an eyesore (just the top part, the rest is behind a fence), which could so easily happen The run has been a huge struggle to build, but it's looking pretty decent so far!

 

[3KillerBs]

I was worried about raccoons getting in with the netting?

I have no experience with that.

 

[Nicky S]

So here go the pics - a bit delayed as I am dealing with a very poorly chick right now and it's taking up a lot of time and energy.

This is the run entry and the area that is partially covered with the plastic roofing. Got to fix the incline on that because it catches a a lot of water right now!

Here is where things start to get tricky around the mulberry tree.

We currently have our first very secure run inside the new larger run - I can't believe that we thought this would be big enough! We are using it for our 6 week chicks now so that they can start to integrate, but even they hate it and want to be out in the bigger run. They have big run time when I can be there to supervise and the big chickens go out and tear up my yard

There are two more trees along the neighbor's fence. We did consider fencing inside the trees, but it would have reduced the space considerably and I like them having the trees there...trying to make the run a more interesting place so that they are less desperate to go dig up my flower beds.

We have one coop outside the secure run so the girls can lay - that's the only reason they go in there ever. I don't think they like the coops much I'm probably going to take the other coop out into the big run too to avoid laying squabbles...they used to be fine but are getting nit-picky lately.

This area is currently covered with netting to protect against hawks, but will be covered with hwc like the sides.

I am starting a compost pile and adding pallets etc.

 

[Nicky S]

More pics of the run from the other side

It's been really complicated as the yard slopes, so we're not dealing with rectangular blocks, But we've kind of managed until the tree part

All input appreciated - as well as any general advice about the run. We did put a skirt around it outside to stop digging too - hwc buried under the soil.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I think netting really is the best option - might not be the strongest form of predator protection, but it's the most malleable one. Make sure to get a good quality net, preferably UV treated with a break/burst weight listed (pinnonhatch.com carries a variety of sizes and options).

Most netting is black so it'll visually disappear, so at least it won't be an eye sore as long as it's applied neatly.

 

[Nicky S]

I think netting really is the best option - might not be the strongest form of predator protection, but it's the most malleable one. Make sure to get a good quality net, preferably UV treated with a break/burst weight listed (pinnonhatch.com carries a variety of sizes and options).

Most netting is black so it'll visually disappear, so at least it won't be an eye sore as long as it's applied neatly.

Ok thank you! I’ll check out their options!