Are you looking for a super fun way to let your chickens free range but in a more controlled manner? For me on Cape Cod, this includes birds of prey, coyotes, fox, fisher cats, raccoons, snakes, rats, mice, minks, neighborhood dogs, wild birds, cats and possibly humans. Step 2. The area just in front of the bottom of your fence lines is wasted space. Prevent climbing predators from accessing the chicken run from the top. Leg problems. A solid floor will protect your flock from many predators including snakes. If you like to feed your hens treats(And who doesnt? Alternately, you can bury a predator apron just below the surface of the soil, parallel to ground level. Im here to teach you how to get back to your roots. You can then wire your inner fence to your outer one, as shown in the detail drawing. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Birds kept in a portable chicken coop on pasture provide delicious, inexpensive eggs, and eggs from birds that get plenty of grass, bugs and seeds to eat are better for you than store-bought eggs (read the results of our egg nutrition testing in The Good Egg). Not only will they take out your whole flock, but they can wreak havoc on your coop itself. Chicken wire doesnt last nearly as long as more sturdy options. An electric training collar can be an invaluable tool if your dog is bred to go after chickens (like a retriever). Make sure you head out and gather eggs daily so theres less of a temptation for predators to visit your chicken coop. Over the years, MOTHER EARTH NEWS has offered several DIY chicken coop plans, particularly designs for portable chicken coops. Hey all, I'm rather new to chickens, I have 16 between the ages of 4 and 8 weeks. Add 1 3/4-inch lips along the straight edges of one of the plywood semicircles by attaching two 35-inch 1-by-4 boards. Just make sure the grass around the perimeter isnt tall enough to short out the fence. Thankfully, there are many measures so you dont have to know the heartbreak of losing one of your beloved chickens! Some predators dig, while others burrow. If its just a tunnel between the garden you'll let them used when you're out there only then you can probably get away without them. Using a plastic storage container as a baby chick brooder, CHOPPED GARLIC ADDED TO FEED - BEST CURE FOR MITES/LICE, Geese raising goslings on their own and viability, Quail chicks. Use Two Step Locks. This portable unit costs about $370 and weighs less than 50 pounds with all of the mesh and fittings included. Lauren Arcuri Ware is an expert in homesteading, including raising chickens for eggs and meat, keeping bees, growing fruits and vegetables, and preserving. You may want to install a handle or drill a hole so you can easily remove the lid just keep raccoons in mind. Predators are constantly finding new ways to get to their prey, so it is important to have multiple layers of protection. The open floor has lots of advantages, the main one being that your flock can graze directly on grass and veggies or scratch around in the soil. Why You Should Not Use Chicken Wire and What to Use Instead. These flashing lights will startle most predators and disrupt their hunting behavior. For this green coop, we simulated the shape of the classic hoop house or high tunnel. It goes without saying that your chickens benefit from any form of free-ranging. Try adding branches, cut logs, even old ladders for climbing. Build an Affordable, Portable and Predator-Proof Chicken Coop. !Thanks for watching please like the video subscribe to the channel (it. Just like the chunnel, this system isnt permanent. Amanda Rose Newton holds degrees in Horticulture, Biochemistry, Entomology, and soon a PhD in STEM Education. Assisted hatch. The area just in front of the bottom of your fence lines is wasted space. Read our, Leave a Space for Your Cats to Crawl Underneath, Surround the Bottom with a Strand of Electric Wire, Surround the Perimeter with Electric Net Fencing, How to Design and Build a Mobile Chicken Coop, How to Take Care of Your Chickens: A Daily Checklist, The Deep Litter Method Will Keep Your Chicken Coop Clean, How to Get Hens to Lay Eggs in Nest Boxes, How to Use Screen Mesh to Guard Attic Vents Against Animal Pests, How to Get Rid of Mice in Your Home Naturally, 7 Simple Ways to Keep Squirrels Out of Your Garden. This circle will provide the space for a young tree to pass through. By making these simple changes, you can help keep your birds safe from harm. In just 15 minutes, you can disassemble this run from one tree and reassemble it around another. Hens are great converters of kitchen waste into valuable manure for the garden, and every chicken owner we know takes a lot of pleasure in just watching the chickens noodle around in the yard. When considering design, one of the most important things that you want to think about is how to predator proof the run. When you build a chicken coop, make sure to provide them with indoor roosts. If you opt for enjoying the benefits of free-range chickens, youll need to provide them with cover. It should be much bigger than that. A simple way to accomplish this is to cut a piece of string 4 feet long, use it to create the curve, then trace and cut it out. So youll need a complicated lock, a padlock with a key, or a combination lock for your chicken coop. Then, screw the 1-by-3 boards into the end caps. Just as the bridge for your chicken tunnel system, the. Chicken wire is not a good choice for the predator-proof chicken coop and run. If you fail to collect eggs every day, they are sitting in there like little orbs of bait, attracting all kinds of predators. One of the hardest things in keeping chickens is keeping those chickens out of the reach of chicken predators. There are four basic shapes used in permanent, semi-permanent, and movable chicken tunnels. In just one day, the young chickens in this chicken tunnel cleared the path to bare dirt. Assisted hatch. You can install a right/left-sided triangular or square frame against the fence for your chicken tunnel. The protection of the enclosure, for the most part, keeps predators at bay. If you use this system in early spring, your chickens will also take care of any overwintering pests. See, you can develop creative ways to enhance your chickens environment while having fun doing it. The child in you comes out as you plan the direction, placement, and style of tunnels youll use for your cluckers. Choose two-step locks or ones that require the use of opposable thumbs to get open. Profit from rainy days with a system that will collect and store your rainwater for future use on the homestead. A flimsy wire that bends easily is definitely not recommended. First and foremost, your chickens will be happy little birds. Nor is a frame constructed from materials that will collapse or bend easily. These are some of our favorite treats for our chickens. Are you ready to explore all there is to know about this thing called a chicken tunnel? Keep posting like this. I swear by having a livestock guardian dog. All you have to do is attach the fencing material to the bottom boards around the perimeter of the chicken coop by hammering in poultry staples. Make sure to pay close attention to the corners where you attach the seams of the fencing material together. It's a place where I can give out free, helpful tips that will help you raise happy and healthy egg-laying chickens. Visit the homestead skills page to learn more about this series. Patricia Foremans City Chicks: Keeping Micro-flocks of Laying Hens as Garden Helpers, Compost Makers, Bio-recyclers and Local Food Suppliers is, as its title suggests, aimed at city dwellers who want to keep a few hens. Either way, youll have a blast building them. Throughout the day, the hen patrol moves all around the garden (but never in it), munching on all those things hens love: weeds, seeds, worms, tiny pieces of stones and (best of all) bugs. This not only creates more square footage of chicken space, but it helps them to move away from threats. To have a predator-proof chicken tunnel, youll need wiring that is designed to protect your chickens. What to Do with Chickens During a Tornado or Hurricane. If you plan to move the chunnel, I recommend cutting a minimum of three 2-foot cross pieces from the optional 8-foot 1-by-3 board in the materials list, and fastening them across the bottom of the frame to keep everything solid. I think Advan Tech OSB Subfloor is a really great choice considering your chickens will be putting a lot of moisture on the floor from the top. For example the runs are made from extra heavy duty steel weld mesh and have anti tunnel . Celebrate your rural roots this holiday season by making a homemade gingerbread barn, and start a new holiday tradition with your family. We designed the first portable chicken coop using green pipes with the idea that urban and suburban folks may want to make their coop as unobtrusive and attractive as possible. JavaScript is disabled. LaySomeEggs.com may contain links to affiliate websites, and I receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. Learn how to create your own easy kitchen garden to produce fresh fruit, veggies and herbs for delicious, healthy meals. A removable panel of 2-by-4-inch welded wire mesh covers the bottom, which gives the chickens room to scratch but is easy to take off if you wish to set the coop on a garden bed and let the chickens till in their manure. But free-range birds are often taken by foxes, bobcats, hawks, dogs or other predators, so unless you have guardian dogs that can keep predators away, your best option is probably a portable chicken coop that gives the chickens access to fresh grass and dirt every day while also keeping them protected. Unless you plan to use this system with meat chickens or, as in our case, your chickens are still young, you could expand upward. Of course, the ramp leading up to the bridge needs to be gradual enough to allow your chickens to maneuver their way up and down. While chicken wire is a more economical choice, in the long run, its a poor investment. (rarely used, prefabricated chicken tunnels occasionally come in this shape). Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Raising the chicken coop off the ground by 1 foot or more creates an obstacle for small predators to overcome. It also creates a ledge to help secure the frame to the ground. Weeds, insects, rabbits, ground hogs and even deer are barred from entry by the double wall of fencing and the ever-diligent patrol flock. Hi, Im hoping to get some chickens for eggs. We dont mow, ever. Just in case a predator like birds of prey come sailing overhead. These large chicken tractor plans are perfect for raising broiler chickens. Another solution you could try, if all else fails, is to trap your predators. It also allows your chickens to get up off the ground to higher levels of safety. To create the roof of the movable coop, lay two sheets of plywood side-by-side to create an 8-foot square. DIY Home Biodiesel Production: Make Your Own Fuel. When predator proofing, it is important to think like a predator as you build your chicken coop and consider incorporate some of these designs and ideas. Photo by Ben Burghart. Readers, this is the second of 12 basic homestead skills well be presenting throughout the year from Kimberlee Bastiens new book, 52 Homestead Skills. Put your chickens safely out to pasture with this chicken tractor DIY project. It can be made from wood and shingles, corrugated metal, or even plastic sheeting used in greenhouses. And, dont worry, theyre programmable so you dont have to be concerned about closing your hens out. Right triangle (typically used along fencing), Left triangle (typically used along fencing). The run is the outside portion of the chicken area. Fowl Stuff is a Michigan company that has designed an injection-molded cover that adapts 3- and 5-gallon pails for use as nesting boxes. Erect your outer fence first, bracing it securely with diagonal posts at all corners and ends. But youre smarter than they are. Total price should be about $300. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. All hardware should be heavy-duty and rustproof. Installing 1-by-3 boards around the perimeter of the fertilization station roof will create slots for holding the wire-mesh walls in place and also allow you to lock the roof down to prevent predators from lifting it. Here youll learn how to raise chickens, grow your own food, and make more than you buy. Nothing other than insects can penetrate this wire! Various materials are used in constructing a chunnel which range from wire to netting. Map the route for your chicken tunnel while taking into consideration the specifications of your back yard. Its so light that one person can easily lift either end to shift it to new ground and fresh grass. For others these might include large cats and bears too. Smooth out the temperature range in your greenhouse by adopting one of these strategies for heating greenhouses. Height should be as tall as your largest chicken with an additional 6 and wide enough to accommodate two chickens passing through at the same time. Once you are done, you can sit back and enjoy the show. Position your trap near your coop and entice the predators with bait that is even more luring than the chickens themselves will be. This material is strong and flexible, simple to work with, and is easily cut with an X-Acto or utility knife. You'll find tips for slashing heating bills, growing fresh, natural produce at home, and more. It seems that everything wants to eat chickens: neighborhood dogs, raccoons, foxes, weasels, and even chicken hawks. And it is pretty insane how they can squeeze through those small holes! DIY Home Biodiesel Production: Make Your Own Fuel. Predator proofing can't be overdone, as many of us have learned the very hard way. This allows for easy accessibility for you to clean, maintain, feed and visit with your flock easily. Soda Bottle Greenhouse Seedlings Get a Head Start. Nothing other than insects can penetrate this wire! This can be used in addition to basic precautions such as a coop floor and hardware cloth. Make sure you construct your coop with heavy gauge hardware. Part of creating a predator-proof chicken coop is to make sure youre not managing your flock in such a way that you are attracting predators to find their next meal in your backyard. If you open windows to provide ventilation for your coop, make sure you protect them with scraps of leftover hardware cloth or wire mesh. Hubs built door on run fence so we can close off in spring and summer after we get gardening, then we will allow access to garden after our harvest. Thats what it looks like. They get a thrill from free-ranging in the yard and garden. We had a flock of guinea fowl that refused to come into the coop at night to roost. Nothing better than having free entertainment right in your backyard! Dogs are really useful on a farm. Build this easy adobe bread and pizza oven in your backyard over the weekend. Install the remaining 4-inch 1-by-3 boards about 3/8 inch in from the previous eight pieces, creating slots to sandwich the mesh in place. Happy chickens that are continually exploring the tunnels are less likely to be overweight. To prevent predators from reaching in and grabbing your chickens while they are in the chunnels, we recommend using a ", 23-gauge predator-proof wire. However, when faced with that classic country conundrum, Do I fence the garden or the chickens? I decided to make a modern adaptation of that medieval practice. All were shrink-wrapped. For those of you with bears or large cats, consider installing an electric fence or welcoming a live stock protection dog to your home. Leave at least 3/4 inch of mesh overhanging at each end of the boards. It is best to be proactive. Ok, maybe that s a little extreme, but at least keep feed securely contained. Its a super strong engineered wood product and has the extra advantage of being waterproof. Fowl Stuff is a Michigan company that has designed an injection-molded cover that adapts 3- and 5-gallon pails for use as nesting boxes. Try taking your dog to pee near the chicken coop. THE NATURALLY BUG-FREE GARDEN: CONTROLLING PEST INSECTS WITHOUT CHEMICALS. This step helps to reduce the number of mice, rats, and snakes that can creep into the coop. To have a predator-proof chicken tunnel, youll need wiring that is designed to protect your chickens. The Garden Ark chicken tractor is an open-floored mobile chicken coop, perfect for housing a small flock of backyard hens. That's why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our earth-friendly automatic renewal savings plan. Above Ground Chicken Tunnels Fencing Cut the circles out with a jigsaw. Order from the GRIT Store or by calling 800-234-3368. If a predator breaches coop security at night, we have failed our pets." The hens patrol around the garden on the lookout for weeds, seeds, worms, tiny pieces of stones and (best of all) bugs. Of course, if youd like to use your own materials, you can see detailed diagrams on Circos website. Now we have a new and improved incarnation of the portable chicken coop with your choice of shapes. While you dont need all of these features on this list, I recommend you learn what the predators are in your area and tailor your coop to meet your needs. The first layer of protection should be a predator apron. Hardware cloth (the finer mesh the better) is more expensive but much more of a deterrent. Bastiens flock made short work of the tall grass around this fruit tree. You will need to provide the welded wire mesh and other materials. Be careful, because electric net fencingcan be an entanglement hazard, especially with young children. Just like with the eggs sitting in the coop overnight, food scraps could work as a predator attractant. A floor made of solid material, such as concrete, will make it difficult for predators to dig their way in. They say, An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and I think this is definitely one area where you dont want to skimp! The third layer of protection could be to use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire. They're in their coop right now, but we've built a chicken tunnel and a run and I could use some suggestions on predator proofing. Lay them parallel to one another 4 feet apart. Widely regarded as an expert in small-scale chicken breeding and raising, plus how to put chickens to work, Ussery also discusses ducks, geese and other kinds of poultry within the book. Youd also be wise to dig a trench and partly bury the outer fence (holding it down with cedar stakes) to discourage burrowing varmints. When chickens feel safe, they will be more productive with their egg laying. Youll need to adjust this for every tree. When an animal tries to dig underneath your coop, theyre not going to dig at the outskirts of the apron. It's a great idea for your coop to have windows because in the winter the chickens will spend most of their time in there, the light and view of the outdoors will help a lot. If keeping an extra large dog on your property simply isnt an option, you might be able to mimic having one. You can get as creative as you want in building a chunnel. These portable chicken coops are designed so that either end drops down for access to feeders and waterers, and to allow your chickens out while youre there to supervise (your presence should deter predators). In addition, a raised coop reduces moisture, which can cause rot. But maybe you tried something new that wasnt their favorite. Man, some of these guys are crafty! When used with poultry, the hoop coop is designed to be predator-proof, allowing birds access to pasture without worrying about flock loss. Predator-proof the run. Install a predator apron around your chicken coop to deter burrowing and digging predators. May not be reproduced without express permission. Alternately, you can bury a predator apron just below the surface of the soil, parallel to . Construct your coop with a solid floor. Not to mention, keeping food put away will keep the rats out of your chicken coop. DIY can provide great insulation savings. The fifth layer of protection could be predator deterrent lights. A predator apron is simply fencing material that is installed above the ground and runs along the perimeter of the chicken coop and enclosed run. This lip will act as a support for the other large plywood semicircle, which youll screw on when putting them together to create the roof. Both coops use the durable corrugated plastic to provide shelter for the chickens. Whether you have a backyard, garden, or rural setting, you can build a fantastic superhighway for your feathered friends! The pieces of the coop frames glue together easily, strongly and permanently. In rainy or snowy climates, a tarp thrown over a coop of this shape will shelter the birds without puddles of water or snow weight distorting the wire. Predator proofing the coop Your coop should be made of strong, sturdy materials that cannot be penetrated by digging paws and gnashing teeth. I will definitely send this post to him. If you place a fertilization station around a tree for a few days, your chickens will remove any vegetation from around the base, eat pests, and deposit a healthy dose of manure. Building your own coop out of quality wood materials is the best way to ensure your coop is predator-proof. This has to be the coolest component of chunnels that we have seen! Keep your hens safe with these 24 features youll find on a predator-proof chicken coop. Lastly, you get to sit and watch them roam and run through the tunnels.