racoons vs chicken wire on flat wall?

daviechik

Songster
10 Years
Apr 13, 2012
248
226
201
Plantation Acres
Were doing a stall conversion, the one wall has bars every 4" for the horses to keep them from getting to each other. Could we use the chicken wire (most cost effective) to line that wall on the inside of the bars and keep raccoons out? I dont know that we even have any on the property but I assume we do. The wall would have to be scaled (its a smooth wall) and then hang onto the bars/wire to chew/break through the wire... its 4' off the floor before the bars start. Also, the front of the stall has no bars (just open where horses can put their heads into isleway) the wall is smooth there too, assuming there is no where for the raccoon to actually get ON the ledge of the wall couldnt the chicken wire be used there too? They would have to dive bomb onto the chicken wire, balance, tear it open to get inside. For what its worth we have horses and cows throughout the property loose overnight so it helps keep predators at bay.
 
Racoons live in trees. They can climb quite well. 4 feet off the ground is NOTHING to them. Yes, they can climb up a flat surface. And they will have no problems getting through chicken wire. Horses and cows won't keep coons, mink, weasels, or fishers away.
 
would the 2" welded wire suffice? i dont need the 1/4" to keep the young chicks inside since its so high. I have no problem using hardware cloth closer to the ground just trying to not make it so dungeony feeling with using that hardware cloth everywhere. What about the "roof" still using something like the welded wire would be best? It is a Florida barn so its not like it closes up tight like northern US do
 
The smaller you go, the harder it will be for a raccoon to get through. Raccoons are much stronger (proportionately) than people. If you can get two fingers through a space, a raccoon can get a whole arm in. That gives them a lot more power to force those welds apart. Don't skimp on security. Welded wire is fine for day time runs, but coops absolutely need the added security of hardware cloth.
 
I can keep raccoons from climbing a flat wall. Show a picture of wall. You can also put up defenses that do not involve the wall. Part of those defenses can involve roosting arrangements.
 
Any openings larger than 1/2" diameter will be a problem! Hardware cloth is best, and 2"x4" woven wire is also good over the hardware cloth for the lower three or four feet of an enclosure. I just lost three nice bantam hens to rats that chewed through the wood wall of my coop to get inside! Think about rats, weasels, raccoons, and large hungry dogs, and build accordingly. Chicken wire is a waste of money and time. Mary
 
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Raccoons will be able to scale wall as shown with some difficulty. I would use 2 x 4 welded wire instead of poultry wire. I would also make so roost is suspended from rafters where chickens must fly up at least 48" to reach it. Raccoons more apt to visit at night so roost alone will help if chickens roosting up. Big vulnerability I still see will be with owls. Be certain to close up openings stop owls from coming in.

If you have a dog, then encourage it to patrol barn area after dark.
 

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