Under the coop hardware cloth??

[Appalachickens]

I tend to be the queen of overkill, so I thought I'd get feedback before I do anything else. I had originally planned to let the chickens have access to the area under the coop, which ranges from 12" to 30" high to the plywood (3 1/2 inches lower to the joists). But I was reading about people having to collect eggs from under the coop and I want no part of that. It's difficult for me to move around under there at 62 and I don't see that magically becoming easier as I age. So I plan to put an HC apron under there at the front of the coop, extending out to the sides. I had the idea of also tacking HC all along the underside of the plywood to thwart chewers. But I had no idea how difficult that would be. After trying to lie on my back and squirm my way around over rocks and briars, with the kind of cursing you might expect from a sailor's daughter, I wondered if I was being overly cautious. Does it need that? Are creatures likely to try to chew into a floor that's a foot or more off the ground? I'll do it if it is a likely problem, but I'd sure rather not. I'd appreciate any feedback!

 

[cavemanrich]

Are creatures likely to try to chew into a floor that's a foot or more off the ground?

Not likely.

On providing access to under-coop for chickens... well there are 2 thoughts.
It is good for chickens to have a shade area.
It is bad for you to retrieve eggs. But don't assume ahead of time that they will lay there. They may,, and then block it off .

 

[DobieLover]

Does it need that?

No.

Are creatures likely to try to chew into a floor that's a foot or more off the ground?

I doubt it.

I would just close it off with the 1/2" hardware cloth extending out into a 2' apron all the way around and not worry about it.

 

[Appalachickens]

Not likely.

On providing access to under-coop for chickens... well there are 2 thoughts.
It is good for chickens to have a shade area.
It is bad for you to retrieve eggs. But don't assume ahead of time that they will lay there. They may,, and then block it off .

They'll have plenty of shade - about half the run is covered, and it's under trees. But I don't want to do have to put a hardware cloth apron around the entire coop only to have to go back and block it off. So if it isn't likely, I'd just as soon never get under that coop again!!

 

[Appalachickens]

No.

I doubt it.

I would just close it off with the 1/2" hardware cloth extending out into a 2' apron all the way around and not worry about it.

This is exactly what I was hoping to hear!