Is using chain link & Poultry fence enough to keep the predators out?

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nascarruafan

nascarruafan

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We are building a 15' x 20' outdoor chicken run for our 4 chickens. We live in mn and have weasels, raccoons ,skunks, fox hawks, eagles and owls all as predators in our area. I have been researching some of the forums in regards to other peoples ideas for construction on their chicken runs. Most have suggested using hardware cloth and not using poultry fence. Well my problem is the cost for the hardware cloth. The expense to outfit the entire run with this would be quite expensive. I am wondering if it would be possible to first outline the entire run with the poultry fence and then use chain link fence over it. And if need be another layer of poultry fence? Inside their run will also be their coop so they will have a place to retreat to in need be. Just trying to save some on the cost and actually have tons of chain link fence laying around waiting to be used. Does anyone have any experience on this and do you think this will work and or be good enough? Thanks.
 
I have one chain link run and cover it with poultry netting. A chain link fence won't keep weasels out. You also have to consider the covering the top.
Perhaps chain link covered with chicken wire. Your best bet would be to make the coop predator proof and lock them in there at night. Then you only need to cover coop windows with hardware cloth.
 
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My thoughts were to cover the entire run both sides and top with the 1" poultry wire. Then on the sides also run the chain link fence all the way to the top as it will only be 6' tall anyways. I just didn't want to run the chainlink on the roof in the hopes in the future I may be able to find some tin to actually put a roof on it.
 
My Back run is two dog kennels. WE covered that with poultry wire.than hard wire cloth all around the bottom.deer netting over that due to the wild birds.the top of the run is covered in wire.That run is 13x30.And is attached to other runs.and once the hens go in at night we close and lock all doors..And also I put cement pavers around the bottom of my runs and two strands of hot wire.the other runs are welded wire and poultry wire covering that.my whole area is 30x30.It was not cheap.but I have never lost any of my hens.Over the years we have built 6 runs and attached them.to each other and can close them off as needed.In order to keep my hens safe.and for my peace of mind.it cost me.They are well worth it.
 
This is what I am considering right now also.....with the same list of predators but add coyotes. One side where the coop is is already chain link fence(I know that needs more) and the other sides need to be built. I have literally been stockpiling wire, chicken wire, wire fencing and hardware cloth in preparation. I keep telling myself my main line of defense is the coop itself. Toward that end a neighbor came today and we went over the coop seeing what needed to be done to make it predator proof. A roof repair and reinforce one window with hardware cloth. Coop has a wood floor. I ordered a net to go over the top of the run when it is completed but never thought about weasels or raccoons at night. I figured the net would stop hawks during the day. Am I overthinking this? I usually do. If coop is sound and virtually predator proof should a net over the run for day be sufficient? My two biggest predators that I see constantly are foxes and hawks.
 
the net should stop a hawk from swooping in.I would not feel as if they would be safe if you have seen foxes. Foxes are known to attack during the day.
 
I guess I forgot to add coyotes to our list or predators too. But I would assume the chainlink fence would be enough to stop them. And probably most other predators. So you think that even with chain link fence doubled with poultry fence predators would still get in?
 
bucky52 said:
the net should stop a hawk from swooping in.I would not feel as if they would be safe if you have seen foxes. Foxes are known to attack during the day.
Click to expand...

I see foxes slink through the fields all the time. :( I intend to make the fence around the run almost impenetrable but wondered do foxes climb fences? I guess I need to learn about predator habits. A farming neighbor told me that raccoons and possums would climb the fence. And I knew coyotes do. That is why we were looking at the coop itself so closely to make sure that once they go in at night, nothing could get into them. I don't think a fox would attack during the day unless it knew my two Great Pyrenees were detained elsewhere...which could happen I suppose. Neither can be considered "bullet proof" with the chickens...yet. My male was raised with chickens and ducks and he is likely the closest. My female is hubby's spoiled baby but there may be hope for her. :) I am not as concerned about daytime attacks from the ground with these two patrolling....mainly concerned about daytime arial attacks.
nascarruafan said:
I guess I forgot to add coyotes to our list or predators too. But I would assume the chainlink fence would be enough to stop them. And probably most other predators. So you think that even with chain link fence doubled with poultry fence predators would still get in?
Click to expand...

That is what I intend to do on the side that is already chain link. And bury chicken wire along the ground to deter diggers. Like the rotten skunks that hang around. :( Forgot about them! I owe them one for spraying one of my dogs last summer. It wasn't one of the Pyrs. I think they had sense to stay away.
 
I'd get the hardwire on the entire bottom part of the run areas personally. You want to cover as much of the chain link area as possible and the plain chickn wire seems to be to large holes to help much:/ Do you have a predator detector on all 4 corners? I've heard this helps as well.
Good luck
 
I feel better with the hard wire even on the chain link side. But hubby is resistant. :( I bought it anyway. LOL I have a feeling when my chicks get old enough to put in the coop and pen it is going to be like putting out a "Open Buffet" sign. :( It seems something happened last night in my neighbor's freshly plowed and disced field. A wild turkey flock had been coming down and scratching in it. From the huge circle of feathers out there something ate well last night. No bodies so I am thinking coyotes. Within 100 yards of my coop. :( So I don't think I am overthinking the security of the coop at all. nascarruafan....you may not have as many predators as I do. I am rural and in the mountains.
 

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