If you've got security issues, or you're looking to build a 100% secure coop/run, we hope these tips will help you.
@clivesconundrumgarden Жыл бұрын
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 🌱👍🇸🇪
@TheOldSwedesFarm Жыл бұрын
I believe what your Grandpa used to say. Don't go cheap on anything. Do it right and you'll do it once! Do it cheap, and you'll pay twice! I just want to make sure our girls are secure! Have a great week!
@beesandseeds Жыл бұрын
Excellent! I’m glad you mentioned raccoons pulling birds through cages. Horrifyingly true!
@TheOldSwedesFarm Жыл бұрын
I had to mention that. People are always concerned about keeping the predators out of the coop/run. They don't think about the animals reaching through. Thanks for stopping by Lisa!
@graceandfire Жыл бұрын
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.)
@TheOldSwedesFarm Жыл бұрын
Sounds like you're really secure. Maybe I phrased it wrong, but the gal was ONLY looking for camera ideas, not ways to prevent the predators. That was confusing. We've got a camera that I need to mount to find out what lurks around us. I know they are out there but they can't get in! Have a great week, Glenda!
@CilverLining Жыл бұрын
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.
@TheOldSwedesFarm Жыл бұрын
Wow! You really have Fort Knox! Great job on taking this serious. Your chickens are safe and you won't lose sleep wondering if something will get in. Congrats!!!
@CilverLining Жыл бұрын
@@TheOldSwedesFarm All of our neighbors that have had chickens have lost them to mink so we took extra care to win that battle. The girls deserve it!
@TheOldSwedesFarm Жыл бұрын
@@CilverLining My main goal was to make sure a Mink (or Marten) couldn't get into the coops. They could kill all of them in one night. I want to avoid finding all our hens dead. Thanks for watching and congrats on winning your battle!!
@CilverLining Жыл бұрын
@@TheOldSwedesFarm I've also heard the mink like to "play with" aka torture the chickens so in my mind--if threatened by a mink--I picture the chickens smiling at them behind their fortress.
@DawnRaeB Жыл бұрын
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.
@TheOldSwedesFarm Жыл бұрын
I'm hoping this will help people beef up their security. So many tragic stories of innocent chickens who die due to bad security. Thanks for stopping by Dawn!
@hardnackfarms1736 Жыл бұрын
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
@TheOldSwedesFarm Жыл бұрын
I know your structures and protection is top-notch! It's too bad you couldn't free range your hens. I wish there was a way to keep all your predators out. Have a great weekend, Wendy!
@prayerwarrior424 Жыл бұрын
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!
@TheOldSwedesFarm Жыл бұрын
We wouldn't be without our hens either. They do provide a little income but also some great eggs for our use (and lots of bug eating!!). If you know anyone who could use this video, please pass it on. Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!
@aliciaspears7847 Жыл бұрын
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
@TheOldSwedesFarm Жыл бұрын
Security needs to be #1 for everyone. If you slap a few pallets together and a bit of chicken wire, you should expect losses. I just don't want to risk my girls and put them in harms way. Thanks for watching Alicia!
@aliciaspears7847 Жыл бұрын
Agreed. 100%
@CaponeCabin Жыл бұрын
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!
@TheOldSwedesFarm Жыл бұрын
Hardware cloth is the key to a secure space. Chicken wire is useless for keeping the predators out. Hope you're well! Cheers!
@skyelord6229 Жыл бұрын
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...
@TheOldSwedesFarm Жыл бұрын
The concrete, 2x4's and hardware cloth will be great. I hope you'll have some aerial protection, with Harold around. He'll definitely be interested! Keep us updated on your progress! Cheers!
@YogiHollowFarm Жыл бұрын
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!
@TheOldSwedesFarm Жыл бұрын
I know you take this serious and have spent the money to secure your flocks. I hope everyone will beef up their security to protect their hens. Have a great week Lisa!
@Gunsmokefarmstead Жыл бұрын
Some really great improv ideas for the gaps!
@TheOldSwedesFarm Жыл бұрын
Fill all the gaps....or you'll lose some birds. I still look for gaps, holes, etc. Thanks for stopping by!
@BARBSCOUNTRYHOME999 Жыл бұрын
I agree with everything you said Rich.. I love both of your set-ups for your girls! 💫
@TheOldSwedesFarm Жыл бұрын
Thanks Barb! Thank you for stopping by and commenting! Hope you're well. I'll get over to your channel this weekend. IT's been very busy here! Cheers!
@MayfieldRanch Жыл бұрын
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
@TheOldSwedesFarm Жыл бұрын
Most coops can never be secure enough. It's all the little things you don't think about (goats scratching!) that can compromise the structure. Thanks for watching Cady!
@jase_drifter Жыл бұрын
Great info and advice right there Rich
@TheOldSwedesFarm Жыл бұрын
Thank you Jase! We appreciate you stopping by! Have a great week!
@OurTreasuredHome Жыл бұрын
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
@TheOldSwedesFarm Жыл бұрын
I think the traditional predators have always been around. We just take it serious. Some don't take it as serious and we hear their stories every day. Have a great weekend!
@OurTreasuredHome Жыл бұрын
@TheOldSwedesFarm that is very true. It's sad that some people think that they can just do whatever and nothing will their chickens but that's not the case. Great information. 🥳🎉
@LifewithBlindaandChuck Жыл бұрын
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.
@TheOldSwedesFarm Жыл бұрын
We're happy with our lack of loss. It is equal parts preparation and luck! Cheers Chuck!
@TheMorganHomestead Жыл бұрын
I wish we had a barn like that!! Nice! Good video! Keep forgetting about your lives, do you have a specific schedule for those?
@TheOldSwedesFarm Жыл бұрын
We're taking a break from the Lives right now. So much to do in the garden and we need every hour we can get! We'll start when things slow down.
@cericson3426 Жыл бұрын
Number one goal should be keeping the ladies safe especially at night..
@TheOldSwedesFarm Жыл бұрын
I think we're in 100% agreement! I know you keep security as #1 for your flock. I can't imagine anything getting into your Fort Knox. Cheers!
@cericson3426 Жыл бұрын
Yes sir we were blessed with that old corn crib when we bought this place. I've also got several cameras around the farm some for security some just to watch the wildlife.
@Nora_meow99 Жыл бұрын
こんばんは、友よ、 良いビデオ 😊
@TheOldSwedesFarm Жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching and commenting! We appreciate your support! Cheers!
@MyAlabamaFarmLife Жыл бұрын
Predators are the worst and we had to tear down and are rebuilding when our coop failed!
@TheOldSwedesFarm Жыл бұрын
Sorry you had issues. If I can help you with ideas for the rebuild, let me know. Cheers!
@Thomasfarmstn Жыл бұрын
I didn’t know raccoons were predators. If that mouse can get in there a snake can.
@TheOldSwedesFarm Жыл бұрын
I'm sure a small snake could get in the barn. All we have are garter snakes, so things will be OK. Racoons will come in and decimate a flock. We do everything to keep them away. Have a great week Russ!
@sarahsapien8847 Жыл бұрын
🙂
@jasmystry6 ай бұрын
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?
@TheOldSwedesFarm6 ай бұрын
Under the block is hardware cloth, laying under the surface. It goes out about 2 1/2 feet. Nothing has ever gotten in. I wouldn't want it on the floor of the coop as the hens scratch there. Hope this answers your question.