The welded wire will work well for cats. Is that 2"X2" wire? Coons and possums can absolutely pull the chicken's head through the large opening wire and chew it off. I'd put 1/2 inch hardware cloth along the bottom 2 feet. With netting for the cover, you may have some trouble if you leave even the slightest gap or if a coon starts tearing at it.. If your coop door opens and closes with an automatic opener, you may find a killer trapped in your enclosure when the door opens in the morning! If you have to open it manually, you will have a ripe-n-easy target in the morning.
Your set-up seems to be pretty-much permanent. Why not provide your birds with some below-ground protection?
I never was crazy about netting for a cover. Seems that predators can much more easily find a way between the netting and wire or tear through the netting. We have a terrible problem with hawks and owls. Netting pulled taught and secured well will work for them. But, a determined coon....
Your set-up is first-class and your chickens are beautiful! You should be proud. Good job.
Your set-up seems to be pretty-much permanent. Why not provide your birds with some below-ground protection?
I never was crazy about netting for a cover. Seems that predators can much more easily find a way between the netting and wire or tear through the netting. We have a terrible problem with hawks and owls. Netting pulled taught and secured well will work for them. But, a determined coon....
Your set-up is first-class and your chickens are beautiful! You should be proud. Good job.
