Would this size fencing be ok for the bottom 2ft of the run. This hardware cloth stuff is so expensive so i was wondering if it would do? Our coop is not far from the house and as far as predators their are a few but we have a dog and cat that patrol the area . Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
As long as you don't have chicks that could hop through the holes and the chickens are locked up in a coop at night, it should be fine. Racoons will pull a chicken through fencing while it sleeps at night. Weasels can easily fit through 2" inch gaps, as could rats and mice. Mice won't eat your chickens but would be after their food.
Quote:I think -no- raccoons can reach easy through that and any non viper snake can get in that too- and rats... and.. and... well just about anything really... If you want to risk losing you chickens one chunk at a time... Raccoons are very smart, most cats would get beaten by a raccoon, the dog would have to be outside 24/7 as raccoons are not 'true' nocturnal, they are opportunistic and actually classified as Crepuscular (dawn and dusk active).
Thanks to both of you for the replies.I do have alot invested in this so Iguess it will be better safe than sorry.
I'm curious about the responses. If the chickens are going in to a house at night, then are raccoon threats during the day in the run something we need to worry about?
Ask you local harware store or lumberyard about 50 and 100' hardware cloth...they are usually way cheaper than lowes and homedepot small rolls. I did my windows in coop and whole run for under 100.00 of hardware cloth and have alot left over. see my byc page
