automatic coop door or hardware cloth roof?

[estamets]

We're building a run that is 6' x 16', and are deciding between an automatic coop door and a predator-proof, hardware cloth roof for our run to keep the ladies safe at night. I'd love your feedback on the pros and cons of each.

Here are the major factors:
-We live in an urban area with some opossums and skunks, and the occasional raccoon (though I have yet to see one in our neighborhood, where we've lived for two years). There are no stray dogs, foxes, or coyotes running about, and my cats keep the other neighborhood cats out of the yard.
-We work strange hours, and travel quite a bit, so we can't dependably be home at sunset to close the coop door manually.
-The cost of an automatic door is $125-$300, and the cost of this much hardware cloth is $75.
-If we go with the auto-door, we'll use avian netting as roofing on the run.
-If we go with the hardware cloth roof, we'll probably leave the coop door open most nights (freezing temps are not an issue in Southern California).

What do you guys think? (Also, is there an auto-door that you're particularly in love with?)

Thanks!

 

[Judy]

Personally, I would definitely go with the secure run and no chicken door. I don't like closing them in. Also, it's not unusual for an automatic door to close some or all of them out of the coop, if no one is arond to check. The only reason to close them in the coop is predators, and the hardware cloth takes care of that. Well, you might do it occasionally, as in a hurricane or serious winter blizzard -- but most of the time I see no reason to close them in or out of the coop.

 

[dheltzel]

I agree completely, put wire over the run. Also make sure nothing can dig under to get in. Where I live (east coast), I can get 2x4 welded wire for about 1/2 the price of HW cloth, and for a roof it is just as good. Sure, a coon can reach through it, but unless they are roosting right up under the roof, how would that help him get your birds. I'd suggest you look at that option and get whatever you are more comfortable with.

 

[petrel]

So long as the run is secure from dig ins, I'd go with wire over the run as well.

 

[estamets]

Thanks so much for the replies, guys! We will definitely go with the enclosed roof; it feels better somehow for them to have access to their entire territory as they need it, rather than being closed in.

Quote:
dheltzel, thank you for the tip on the welded wire. We'll take a look at that as an option.

We're not going to bury hardware cloth or do a floor on the run, but we are going to line the exterior perimeter with 12" x 16" paver stones. I hope that's enough to deter the diggers (darn skunks!). The area directly beneath the coop will have a hardware cloth floor lining. What do you think?

 

[RonP]

I agree. Predator Proof the run and be prepared for the unexpected. Make it racoon proof if raccoons live in the vicinity. They will find you and break your heart. Thats what they do.

 

[magicjeep]

I'm in NJ and just started building my coop. I know there are opossums, skunks, and I'm sure there's coons even though I haven't seen them, no coyotes or foxes but I have 2 dogs. Is the 2"x4" welded wire is good enough to surround the run in? I keep reading that hardware cloth should be used. Using the 2"x4" welded wire is ok that would save me a bunch of money that can be used on something else for the coop. I'm also going to cover the top with corrugated plastic roofing, to help keep the rain and snow out of the run.

 

[estamets]

It sounds like the welded wire is good for places that are NOT near where the chickens will be sleeping, since predators can reach through it

 

[RonP]

I also live in NJ.

I used 2x3 welded wire around run, for the roof of the run, and for a 2 foot skirt outside the run.
Many, many visible signs of attempted attacks.

For four years this worked perfectly, protecting my small flock from raccoons, possums, fox, dogs, and predatory birds.
A few weeks ago a raccoon decided to visit while the birds were still out.

My bantam rooster did his thing while the raccoon did his, all through the 2x3 fence.
I still miss my little rooster.

I now have 1/2 inch hardware cloth surrounding the bottom 2 feet of the run.
Many think differently and are willing to accept loses, but for me, there is no worse feeling than raising and being solely responsible for an animal's well being, then burying it because you did not do everything possible to ensure its safety.