2" x 2" mesh - new to forum / new to chickens!

[joebryant]

Quote:
Yes, that is why if you use larger mesh you should put smaller mesh along the bottom 2-3' of the fence, as I and others always state.

There is no particularly large advantage to using the smaller mesh on the ENTIRE run, except the special cases mentioned in my earlier post.

Snakes? It is exceptionally rare for a snake to go into a coop and steal eggs. And quite easy to do something *about*, if it should by extreme rare chance *happen*. (Obviously you do want to snakeproof anything with chicks in it, as that's a bit more of an obvious target for a hungry snake).

Anyhow, snakes are not really a problem in England, the o.p.'s location

I just think it is a mistake to think that small mesh used for the *whole* run is any meaningful improvement (in most cases) over having it on just the bottom 2-3', or anywhere else a predator could reach a chicken.

And remember, this is worry-about-everything cross-all-t's-and-dot-all-i's *me* talking, here <g>

Pat

I totally disagree. My entire run is 1/2-inch wire sides and top... all. I never have to worry about ANYTHING getting into my run, day or night. My chickens are safe, and the only time I close the coops' pop doors is on very cold nights during winter.
It's worth the small amount of money difference during the initial construction to be worry free.
See my BYC page .

 

[Rennie]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=261812

<-- if you look at my run you will see what i think is 2 inch mesh round sides ..

Like this

and nornal hex chicken wire over the top ..

Living in england just like you I would say that is fine, I dont have any problems with predators ... we get foxes and cats around here all the time (both would have got in if they could)

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Joe, the perception of 100% safety is largely imaginary. If you FEEL better using 1/2" hardwarecloth then I mean by all means indulge; but in terms of ACTUAL REAL SAFETY, I do not see any reason to believe that it gives you 100% safety, nor that it is any appreciably safer (in most circumstances, see previous posts for caveats) than a less-expensive arrangement.

And my friend, if you think you "never have to worry about anything getting into your run" and coop, then THAT in itself is risky! Because nothing manmade stays 'made' forever. I hope you have a healthy degree of skepticism about your run's security that leads you to inspect all parts of it on a frequent basis for loose fasteners, softening wood, splitting wood, holes, rust, etc etc.

If we're talking personal psychology, obviously do what makes you feel warmest and fuzziest inside.

But if we're talking engineering and what predators can actually do, I just truly do not see all-hardwarecloth as being a meaningful improvement over larger *heavy* mesh with hardwarecloth (or etc) along the lower part. And the difference in cost could well be spent on making OTHER parts of the coop and run more safe, secure, or chicken-friendly.

JMHO,

Pat

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
Joe, the perception of 100% safety is largely imaginary. If you FEEL better using 1/2" hardwarecloth then I mean by all means indulge; but in terms of ACTUAL REAL SAFETY, I do not see any reason to believe that it gives you 100% safety, nor that it is any appreciably safer (in most circumstances, see previous posts for caveats) than a less-expensive arrangement.

And my friend, if you think you "never have to worry about anything getting into your run" and coop, then THAT in itself is risky! Because nothing manmade stays 'made' forever. I hope you have a healthy degree of skepticism about your run's security that leads you to inspect all parts of it on a frequent basis for loose fasteners, softening wood, splitting wood, holes, rust, etc etc.

If we're talking personal psychology, obviously do what makes you feel warmest and fuzziest inside.

But if we're talking engineering and what predators can actually do, I just truly do not see all-hardwarecloth as being a meaningful improvement over larger *heavy* mesh with hardwarecloth (or etc) along the lower part. And the difference in cost could well be spent on making OTHER parts of the coop and run more safe, secure, or chicken-friendly.

JMHO,

Pat

It would take more than verbosity to convince me that my chickens aren't safe 24/7.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Joe, I have no expectation of convincing you of anything. You are clearly happy with your arrangement, and why shouldn't you be? The only thing that convinces a lot of people that their setup is not 100% invulnerable is actually LOSING chickens. The Predators and Pests section (not to mention the whole of human history <g>) demonstrates this over and over.

A significant proportion of people do believe with all their hearts that their setup is invulnerable, right up to the moment that they see the pile of feathers one morning. (And that morning does not always come for everyone -- it is a chance thing, and some people will luck out and never have problems even if their coop certainly *could* be breached *if* a predator tested it).

I am "only" addressing EVERYONE ELSE reading this thread, trying to advocate a realistic attitude towards the capabilities of hungry predators, the effects of entropy and missed details on the structure of a coop and run, and where ya wanna spend your money.

Pat

 

[saltdean norm]

Thanks all for your help and suggestions so far.

I've checked the prices again and my (tight) budget can stretch to 1"x 1" 1.0mm gauge or 2"x2" 1.6mm.

I'm not concerned by smaller predators…luckily we don't have racoons or (many) weasals or ferrets wild in the UK. The closest we have is squirrels but I don't think they mess with chickens. Its really the foxes and badgers that I need to protect against. I think the heavier gauge 2"x 2" will give a sturdier protcetion than the lower gauge. I'm not too concerned about anything reaching in. The coop is very solid, made from thick marine ply.

badgers certainly are great diggers, and also very strong and sturdy which is one of the reasons I'm using the railway sleepers as the base. They are also highly resourseful, for the last two years they've climbed my plum trees to steal the fruit! That said, they are beautiful animals, just a pain when they decide to dig your garden up. I didn't realise what a pest racoons were til I started reading this forum, I always thought they were cute and fluffy.

 

[KMHunter]

Quote:
If you only have to worry about digging predators, then I would get heavier gauge wire and bury some at least 8inches, if not more, around the inside and outside perimeter of your run. I might also(when you have the $) look into getting an electric wire set up around the outside of you fence. I have it around mine and know that it has deterred Coyotes from digging under the fence. I heard one yelp, and looked out to see it running from my coop area. Just my two cents.

 

[patandchickens]

If badgers are an issue, you may want to ask around and see whether just a 2' apron will be enough. (I do think it is a good plan, just want to make sure the width is adequate). Agree about choosing the heavier rather than lighter gauge wire.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat, who thinks it would be cool to see a badger but glad we do not have them around here

 

[elmo]

No matter what kind of wire you use, it's always a good idea to check it periodically for wear, weak spots, damage, weakening at the seams, etc. You want to be the one to spot these things before a predator does.