Cinnamon Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 (edited) Just went down to feed the hens to find a rat stuck half in & half out of the chicken wire of their run. It was dead,& was facing out,so had been in the run but got stuck & died on the way out. Poor Hubby had to cut it free So, the new improved hen pen is going to have a 4 brick high wall as its base,with nice deep foundations to keep the critters out. Then the mesh & wood bit will be on top of the brick wall - has anyone else done this? Do you think that sounds like a good plan? Edited December 5, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 It does sound like a good plan. Not cheap though. Damned rats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 5, 2007 Author Share Posted December 5, 2007 The Hubby is a builder, so we have all the kit here, plus his mini digger that he is always DESPERATE to use (men ) We just bought some really fab,tough welded mesh on eBay. I think it could work as a rat proof run, or as near to being rat proof as can possibly be. The flooring will all keep contained too And I forgot to mention that its going to be hexagonal in shape. The only down side it that the hens won't be as visible from the house with a wall base Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 rats will be able to climb the wall so you still need the toughened wire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 My Mum keeps canaries in an aviary and she has a brick base which works well and so far they haven't see a rat in there. They have got a couple of small gaps around the bottom between some of the bricks though just so that when she hoses it out the water can drain away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 5, 2007 Author Share Posted December 5, 2007 rats will be able to climb the wall so you still need the toughened wire. We have some fab dipped welded mesh,which is really tough & has small rectangular holes. Got it on eBay - it was much better value there than anywhere else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daywalker Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Can't rats climb? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 5, 2007 Author Share Posted December 5, 2007 Can't rats climb? Yes, but the pen will have a roof & small welded mesh, so they won't be able to get in At the moment they are tunneling, but the deep concrete foundations will stop that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 wouldnt it be easier just to dig down and bury the mesh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daywalker Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Can't rats climb? Yes, but the pen will have a roof & small welded mesh, so they won't be able to get in At the moment they are tunneling, but the deep concrete foundations will stop that. Mmm a cunning plan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Paving slabs under my runs put paid to the rats tunnelling activities......that and bait boxes around the place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 5, 2007 Author Share Posted December 5, 2007 wouldnt it be easier just to dig down and bury the mesh? The hubby wouldn't get to show off his brick laying skills then I just like the idea of a small wall,only 3 bricks high as it will also offer a bit of protection from the elements. The mesh may corrode underground too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 i try to stay away from rat discussions these days but good luck with the new run, sounds lovely, does seem a shame you won't be able to see the girls from the house though. How long will it take to build? Dying to see it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 p.s. I like the way you have 're-homing co-ordinator' under your name. I think it helps if anyone has a BHWT question, they know who to ask if they needed to. I assume it means you're something to do with the BHWT? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noodle Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Sounds like a palace to me .... sure it will be fabulous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 The brick idea sounds good - you should still be able to see them over it and it will act as a barge board and stop the bedding being kicked out. I think Cinnamon is rehoming co-ordinator for 'normal' hens on the forum rather than the BHWT Poet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 I think Cinnamon is rehoming co-ordinator for 'normal' hens on the forum rather than the BHWT Poet That's right. more about it ~~here~~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 okay, thanks for the info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Sounds like a good plan Cinnamon! When your OH is done at yours, could he pop over and re-roof our out building?? The roofer didn't show up.......again!!!! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
