Another "what wire for my run" thread!

[Thyme4Chickens]

Hi all! I've read so many threads I'm a bit overwhelmed, so I thought I'd ask for opinions!

Known predators: domestic dogs, coyotes, red foxes, raccoons, opossums, skunks, weasels.

A few weeks ago we discovered a short-tailed weasel nest in our garage (we have tons of field mice/voles, and that's what they are eating). The adult weasels we caught could not fit through 1/2" hardware cloth. There is no gap bigger than 1/2" on the coop.

We have electric poultry netting and are evaluating running fixed electric wires around the coop and run when it's finished, but I don't think any electric options are going to work for weasels as they are so small?

Now we are evaluating if we want to do 1/2" hardware cloth over the entire walk-in run (pricey).

Original plan:
- 2"x4" welded wire for sides and top
- 1/2" hardware cloth on the bottom 3'of the walls, and for the apron.

So, what would you do?

Also, I've read that folks who use both welded wire and hardware cloth are putting the hardware cloth to the inside and the welded wire to the outside. Is the fencing stronger this way?

 

[Abriana]

1/2 inch hardware cloth everywhere is the best option. Any hole over 1/2 inch cover with hardware cloth or block it. Weasels can fit in surprisingly small spaces-and wipe out a flock of 20 in one night. Good luck on the coop!

 

[Abriana]

Sound like you have a great plan, and though it’s pricey, hardware cloth will make a huge difference. I’ve kept chickens for two and a half years and never have had a night raid and have only lost three chickens due to predators. Two due to hawks and one due to a hen that got out of the fence and was killed by a mystery predator. Electric fencing is also a must.

 

[Thyme4Chickens]

Weasels can fit in surprisingly small spaces

Yeah, my blood ran cold when my husband told me we had weasels! Our chickens are "pet livestock" (probably an oxymoron!) so I'd like to err on the side of caution.

 

[Abriana]

Yeah, my blood ran cold went my husband told me we had weasels! Our chickens are "pet livestock" (probably an oxymoron!) so I'd like to err on the side of caution.

Weasels scare the life out of me! Especially since they don’t even eat all they kill. It’s not even fair, and I love my chickens fiercely.

 

[Trux]

1/2 in hardware cloth with all those predators in your area. Where ever you have a seam use 2x4 and fence staple it then cover with a 1x 2 on outside

 

[Folly's place]

We have a coop/ run combination that's roofed and very secure. As a run goes, it's small, but I consider it a large coop. In winter, in snow country, chickens won't come out in the white stuff, so my space is about seven sq. ft. per bird, which includes almost half bantams. I have hardware cloth over every opening, with 2"x4" woven wire over the lower 4', all fence stapled onto the framing, and then with 1"x4" boards screwed in over everything. If bears arrive here, I'll add electric too.
Then, my flock free ranges most days, unless there's a hawk issue, or snow cover.
It's all about balancing risk vs. cost! Many critters can get through everything except hardware cloth well secured, but it's more expensive. You are going to like having a roof over at least part of your run, for winter, and do plan on the snow load!
Electric fencing is very effective if properly set up, maintained, and on all the time. For rats and weasels, more difficult, and they will tunnel under too.
At least, have a very secure coop, big enough that your birds won't go nuts in it if they are locked in for a while.
Mary

 

[Thyme4Chickens]

Thanks everyone!

Mary - thanks so much. After my research on this forum my husband built an 8x16 Woods coop and our town limits us to 25 hens (we only have 5 pullets now) - so if our chickens hate snow they won't be overcrowded in the coop. We are planning to roof at least part of the run this year and my husband is always planning for the worst weather scenario so he's doing snow load calculations for sure!

I think we've pretty much decided to go with 1/2" hardware cloth everywhere.

 

[Folly's place]

I'd love to have a Woods coop!!!
Mary

 

[Thyme4Chickens]

I'd love to have a Woods coop!!!
Mary

My husband is already scheming to see if the "money in chickens" is in building Wood's coops