If you've got security issues, or you're looking to build a 100% secure coop/run, we hope these tips will help you.

My Gramps used to say, "A cheap man always pays twice" Can't think of a better example. Good on ya for doing this. Another video of yours saved to our Playlist!! Hope you had a good Father's Day Cheers J&C 🌱👍🇸🇪

Excellent! I’m glad you mentioned raccoons pulling birds through cages. Horrifyingly true!

Fabulous information. We have 1/2” trim covering our chicken wire on the little run. We used staples to attach the hardware cloth to the 2x4s. In addition we used screws with large washers to reinforce things. Then we put the trim on top. Maybe overkill, but we’ve had a raccoon try to get in. He failed. It’s tight. But I love how you started with the question of a camera. For my situation, I actually am appreciative we have cameras all over. We made the coop/run super tight for security, but we’re also able to monitor what lurks in the night and see what they do if they try to break in. It’s helped us double check what we’ve done. Overkill, but Ft Knox has cameras too. 😂 So will we. (I go to the real place a lot.)

We made security a top priority. We trenched around the perimeter of our run and coop 24" below grade with aluminum roof flashing, laid hardware cloth on the ground inside the structure (attached to the bottom plate framing), surrounded the entire structure with 16" patio block and used 24" of hardware cloth extended out from the patio block. We sandwiched our vertical wall hardware cloth too. It was an expensive precaution but worth it. If anything digs its way in we were not meant to have chickens.

That wooden "trough" for your big barn door is fantastic! Excellent discussion!! I'm not on as many chicken groups but I see some people having issues with their quail. I hope this video helps everyone with chickens up their security and prevent some losses.

Yeah chicken wire is flimsy. I have not lost any to predators. We have commercial thick fencing and then hardware cloth around and still putting hardware cloth around to keep the snakes out. I killed a copperhead right outside the coop. This is where my chickens are for now. I cannot free range mine here. Way to many predators. I have watched others loose their chickens and I learned from their mistakes. I am overprotective. And I have not lost anything to predators. We have the fencing under and over. And in the shade. It gets so hot here. I am trying to keep them cool. We have to build a good sized run I will make it safe. We have venomous snakes it’s scary. I wished I had a barn. Chickens are so sweet. Have a blessed day! Wendy

Thank you! I belong to many backyard chicken groups and many are beginning to get chickens. The stories are tragic. Chickens are defenseless and if someone wants to raise them they need to be responsible. It is a big investment upfront but that should be considered before getting into raising them. Hardware cloth is key and substantial structure whether 2x4 or metal. If you are going to have a small flock for your own use/pets… do Not think they will save you money! Good housing- organic feed (healthy chickens eat healthy food), healthy treats (our girls LOVE sardines lol), CLEAN bedding all out price eggs for 8 months of the year but I wouldn’t be without my girls!

I totally got what you meant about the woman being interested in cameras vs actually taking the steps necessary to secure her flock. It's worth. Takes time & money, but we can't complain about predators eating our hens if we put out a buffet. Thanks for stressing coop security ! New subscriber here

Not only the most most tidy gardens I've ever seen but the most proper chicken coop ever! Our chicken adventure is delayed but i never thought about using the hardware cloth! Love it!

I have a large concrete pad on my property where I'm putting up my coop/run. That along with 1/2" hardware cloth and 2x4s should keep them safe. I've got a hawk in our woods named Harold, he likes to come by occasionally. I imagine he'll be around more often once the girls are outside...

So important to spend the money and make the investment. We agree and great points. We also use washers on screws to secure hardware cloth. We have three layers at the bottom part of the coop. Never had an issue except when they were free ranging. Smart idea with the trough!

Some really great improv ideas for the gaps!

I agree with everything you said Rich.. I love both of your set-ups for your girls! 💫

You guys have a great set up! Good point to share about the door having a gap. We had to add some cattle panels to the lower part of our coup because the goats were using it as a back scratcher and pushing in the wire. Great tips! -Cady

Great info and advice right there Rich

That is fantastic definitely a great way to keep the chicken coop safe. Seems like predators are more and more these day. Thank you Have a great day God bless and love yall stay safe

Only losing 6-8 free range chickens over a period of years seems good to me. Especially where y’all live with plenty of open area around you. Hope y’all have a great week.

I wish we had a barn like that!! Nice! Good video! Keep forgetting about your lives, do you have a specific schedule for those?

Number one goal should be keeping the ladies safe especially at night..

こんばんは、友よ、 良いビデオ 😊

Predators are the worst and we had to tear down and are rebuilding when our coop failed!

I didn’t know raccoons were predators. If that mouse can get in there a snake can.

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Hey dumb question for ya. I can see the hardware cloth outside that you pointed out, but do you have the hardware cloth go just to The structure or does it go past the 2x4s and does it cover the entirety of the coop underneath?

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