Install hardware cloth with a buried apron fence

Hardware cloth is the single most effective barrier against predators. A buried apron extending outward from the base stops digging animals without requiring a deep trench.

Steps

1. Wrap the run in 1/2-inch hardware cloth: Secure to posts with fencing staples or screws and washers every 6 inches. Overlap seams by 4 inches and fasten together with hog rings or J-clips.
2. Create the apron: Lay a 12-18 inch strip of hardware cloth flat on the ground extending outward from the base of the fence. Secure to the bottom of the upright fence with hog rings.
3. Cover the apron: Bury under 2-3 inches of soil, or cover with gravel or mulch. Grass grows through within weeks, hiding it completely.
4. Secure the top: Cover the run with hardware cloth or bird netting to stop aerial predators (hawks, owls).

Why It Works

Digging predators (foxes, raccoons, dogs) instinctively dig at the fence base. The buried apron blocks them before they can tunnel under. They do not think to back up and dig further out.

Tips

• Never use chicken wire for predator protection — raccoons reach through and pull birds apart
• 1/2-inch mesh stops weasels and rats; 1-inch mesh does not
• Wear heavy leather gloves when cutting and handling hardware cloth — the edges are razor-sharp