Racoon proofing cover question

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sonjap

sonjap

Chirping
8 Years
Mar 16, 2012
91
2
96
Parker, CO
Hi all,
I'm a newbie and we are in the process of building a 24 x 12 run area. I have been searching threads about predator proofing and I think our plan is pretty good except for covering the area. I'm worried about racooons being able to climb the fencing and getting in over the top. Our neighbors have chicken wire over theirs, but I've read that racoons can chew right through it. (although they have not had that problem in the year that they have had them.) Has anyone had a raccoon chew through chicken wire on top of the run? I suppose I could use dog fencing, but I think it would add quite a bit to the cost. I will do what I have to do though. I would hate to lose any of my little fluff balls.
 
Raccoons generally only come out between dusk/dawn, so as long as your chickens are securely closed inside their coop housing each night (assuming there is hardware cloth over window/vent openings) they should be safe from raccoons.
You are right, raccoons can climb over any fence (except electrified fencing). I would not trust chicken wire against raccoons. I think they rip it out more than chew through it...usually at a corner or loose area. But it can be chewed through. My main coop run has 2x4 welded wire over the top, and I feel pretty good about that. I've only had chickens for three years, but nothing has ever gotten into our run.
 
Raccoons are great climbers and will be able to get over the top no problem.
Lots of people have had chicken wire on their coops and never have any problems with raccoons. But the fact is; raccoons can definitely get through chicken wire. Chicken wire is a deterrent, but not raccoon proof. If a raccoon really wants to get through the chicken wire, it will.
Chances are you could use chicken wire and never have a problem, but you would be rolling the dice. It you want to play it safe, use heavier wire. 2x4 wire would be a good step up.
And don't forget about critters digging under the coop. Use a wire apron around the bottom to prevent predators from gaining access by digging.
 
Electric Fence doesn't stop hawks from swooping down and taking small chickens. I agree with the 2 x 4 welded wire, or at least some type of netting over the top and lock the chickens up in the coop in the evening.
 
for my run, i just use bird netting on top ,,, keeps hawks away in daytime........ i've got more coons than you would believe--- lake on 1 side, swamp on the other, woods on the other... what i've found with coons (the hard way) is they will test your defenses nightly.. constantly probing for a weakness....so lock em up tight at dark..... i keep a live trap set 24/7, throw the game cam out now n then.... any critters caught (a dozen or so in 6 months) die from lead poisening........
 
The less raccoons there are in the world the better! I learned the hard way. The coop was 99.9% raccoon proof except for the 3 inch X 3 inch plastic window on a door where the roosting area is. Broke through and grabbed one of my hens. Tore her right wing off. She is doing great now. Healing nicely and doesn't in seem to miss her wing. We put hardwire cloth over the window now. Wish the manufacturer would have thought of that.

darin367 said:
for my run, i just use bird netting on top ,,, keeps hawks away in daytime........ i've got more coons than you would believe--- lake on 1 side, swamp on the other, woods on the other... what i've found with coons (the hard way) is they will test your defenses nightly.. constantly probing for a weakness....so lock em up tight at dark..... i keep a live trap set 24/7, throw the game cam out now n then.... any critters caught (a dozen or so in 6 months) die from lead poisening........
Click to expand...
 
Please help in fourteen turning fifteen and I'm just starting out with quail. My uncle keeps giving me quail but in the process of building the coop a racoon ripped it through the doors in a smaller cage we kept it in. Do you think raccoon perimeter spray will work? I also used chicken wire wiring and a very hard wiring called rat wire? It's steel and thicker then chicke wire so we applied that to the coop but the coop is connected to a chicken wire space for them. It has a cut out for the quail to go in and out of freely and were word about putting our hen in there, we been keeping her in the house. We have latches on the door but were not sure ow sturdy, do you think two layers would be enough-
Signed yours truly
Scaredy pants(of raccoons anyway) :(
 
I recently found chewed up chicken fence in my run. I have been securing my coop farther, shutting up windows and shutting all doors. The night time is the time you need to worry. Spend the extra money on securing the coop.
 

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