Add hardware cloth or no?

[SavannahRose]

Should I add hardware cloth to my run? Side notes: the run is covered with chicken wire top to bottom with plastic roofing on top of run. I live in a somewhat suburban area. 6 foot privacy fence surrounds backyard where coop/ run is, there are houses on every side of the fence. The coop/run stays lit all night with bright solar lights and motion sensor lights. Chickens are secured inside coop every night. My chickens are about 7 weeks old now and just transitioned into their big girl house. Of course safety is my top concern, but would adding hardware cloth around the bottom 3 feet or so be overkill?

 

[neo71665]

The only thing chicken wire is good for is to keep chickens in. It aint much good for keeping anything out.

Honestly I'd throw the chicken wire away and use 1 x 1/2 inch welded wire fencing. Hardware cloth 4 feet up might keep a well trained dog out but something like a coon or possum is just gonna use it as a ladder to get to the easier to tear up wire. I've seen a begal hot after a rabbit run through one side of my grandma's chicken wire run and out the other like it wasn't even there without so much a mark on his nose.

 

[swamphiker]

Yes, you should absolutely add the hardware cloth! PS that is an adorable set-up

 

[SamuelMcF]

It would help to make it more secure against predators for sure. Coming from someone who has had several predator tragedies it is worth the investment! Welcome to the forum by the way!

 

[OlympicChick]

I vote yes. Better safe than sorry.

 

[SavannahRose]

Looks like I’ll be getting some hardware cloth tomorrow, thanks everyone! I’d rather have peace of mind that they’re safe and be preventative rather than sad and sorry

 

[aart]

Stick a 16" block under that ramp.
Oh, and....Aprons:
Good examples of anti-dig apron installation.
If rodents are prolific, burying the apron ~12" would be good.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wire-around-coop.1110498/#post-17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yes to the hardware cloth, and you might want to kill some of those lights. Just like people, chickens sleep better with darkness.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Being in the suburbs gives you less than zero percent protection from predators.
There are more predators per square mile in cities than in wilderness.
Chicago is the coyote capitol of the world and Toronto is the raccoon capitol of the world.
Neighboring houses and privacy fences mean nothing. Raccoons can climb a sheer wall and are one of the few animals that can descend a tree head first. Mink and weasels can get into a 1" opening.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
I agree totally about the hardware cloth, and your birds do need hours of darkness. Kill the overnight lighting! Maybe a motion sensor light, if it could be set up to only light up for human intruders? I have no outside lights on, except by switch, and use a small flashlight when I go out there.
Having electricity in the coop is wonderful, though, especially for winter!
Mary