What type of wire for enclosure?

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Amy S

Amy S

Chirping
7 Years
Mar 18, 2012
122
2
91
Chicago, IL (west suburbs)
A few questions. The family and I have been going back and forth on what type of wire to use on our duck coop and pen enclosure. Most of us want chicken wire because of cost, but I really think we need something like hardware cloth. The coop and pen are lifted off the ground (two feet) and a wooden frame all around. We've taken inspiration from a BYC member's design (thanks!) from a few years ago https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/324522/my-mandarin-duck-pen-during-construction-photo-intensive , but will be adding almost two more sections of pen area to hold a preformed two-level pond at the far end.

So.... What to use? What is the best wire/mesh/cloth to keep predators out? Does anyone know how hardware cloth does during a snow? (thinking of winter needs)

Lots of questions! Thanks in advance!!!
 
I actually have that exact same enclousere for my pair if mandarin ducks and it works good ( I made some modifications to it) The snow piles up on the wire a little but falls through, however if you build that make sure to put a drain in the pool ( it will be a whole lot easier that scooping out a bucket full at a time). On the wire end I put a wire door wide enough for my shoulders to fit through and I recommend you Do the same, every couple of days you do need to spray off the poop that does not fall through the wire (takes 5 min)
I would recommend you use half inch wire mesh and nothing bigger for the bottom, I used the half inch wire for all the sides and top as well, the total cost for me to build this (built late last year) was around $300 give or take a little, but the prices will carry from place to place.

Good luck!
 
For nighttime, I have hardware cloth top, sides and bottom. The Day Pen has coated 2¨x3¨wire top and sides, with 2´of coated 1¨chicken wire around the sides. The bottom has coated chain link sandwiched between 6¨wide boards around the perimeter to keep larger things from digging under.
 
Hi Amy!
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Chicken wire is really intended to cheaply divide groups of small animals within a secured perimeter. It's flimsy and will not withstand most predators.

If the coop is in your back-yard, which is surrounded by a solid chain link fence, and you only need to worry about large, non-climbing predators, then you may be able to get away with chicken wire. If your yard is open to all comers, you might as well just tie out your ducks with a sign that says 'free dinner - come and get me'.

Best wishes,

Tahai
 
Thanks poultry09 and amiga!

Thanks,Tahai. We don't have a fully fenced in backyard and have numerous hawks and turkey vultures in the area. We are right on the edge of a very rural town....so, yeah, I am very worried. I have been going back in forth with my other half (fiance) and inlaw...they want the cheaper chicken wire, and I just know we'll be re-wiring everything once they see how flimsy it'll be. They won't be free-ranging, and we will be locking (yep, locks) them in a coop during night. My three runners are only 11 days old, so I still have some time to change the guys minds!

Thank you all!
 

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