Chicken Coop Dig Apron: Width, Depth, and Installation Guide
Quick facts
| Recommended Apron Width | 18 to 24 inches outward horizontally along run wall base |
|---|---|
| Mesh Specification | 1/2-inch 19-gauge galvanized steel hardware cloth |
| Depth Options | Flat on sod (held with landscape staples) OR buried 2-4 inches under dirt |
| Target Predators | Foxes, coyotes, stray dogs, raccoons, badgers, and rats |
| Attachment Method | Fastened to bottom wood frame with 1″ fender washers + wood screws |
Quick Answer: A chicken coop dig apron is a 12-to-24-inch strip of 1/2-inch hardware cloth laid horizontally along the outer perimeter of your run wall. Predators like foxes, dogs, and raccoons dig directly at the wall base; when their paws hit the horizontal wire mesh, they cannot dig under. You can pin it to the sod with landscape staples or bury it 2-4 inches under dirt or gravel.
1. How an Anti-Dig Apron Works
Canines (foxes, coyotes, dogs) and raccoons do not dig starting two feet away from a fence—they stand right against the wall base and scratch downward. A horizontal dig apron exploits this instinct: when the animal paws at the soil right next to the wood, its claws immediately strike the rigid steel mesh.
Because the animal is standing on top of the outer edge of the wire, it cannot dig beneath its own footing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to bury a dig apron?
Burying is optional. Laying the hardware cloth flat on top of the grass and securing it with 6-inch landscape staples allows grass to grow through the mesh within a few weeks, hiding it completely.
How wide should a dig apron be?
18 to 24 inches is standard for high predator areas (foxes, coyotes, dogs). 12 inches is sufficient for smaller suburban runs.
Sources and references
- Penn State Extension: Biosecurity & Predator Defense Controls.