Building our Coop

[aart]

Couldn't I just lay the fencing flat on the ground, then wood across it so it's on both sides to start?

I suppose, but I like things like logs and boards on the inside so birds don't tear up their feet on wire.

 

[crazyhen75]

This photo is not chicken wire. It is chain link fencing. My chicken wire has 1" mesh.
Isn't that sufficient? It is sold specifically for the purpose of keeping predators out
of the chicken house, correct?

sadly no. It rust terrible and the coons do tear through it. I had it on top of my run. I did not notice it was rusting. One night I lost most of my flock. The animals broke through the top and went into the poop door. I had a friend feeding up at night and they did not close it.. Invest in good hardware cloth(wire) I learned the hard way. A little more expensive but it is a matter pay now or pay dearly later. also squirrels get through the other wire and can harm young chicks.

 

[Terri McAlinden]

I've heard raccoon can pull apart the chicken wire because its basically twisted wire and relatively thin gauge. I'm new to this as well and really considered getting chicken wire as well due to cost. I guess there's a reasons hardwire cloth is 3x the price.

I know a coon can tear poultry wire, but we are only using it for the daytime run and I am not concerned about daytime predators because when the chickens are out of the coop we will be here. We don't have any predators roaming around in the daytime except the neighbors dogs.

The floor under

That photo was to show how a coon can reach through fencing and grab a chicken.

Poultry netting isn't specifically sold to keep predators out of a chicken house. It's sold to keep chickens IN a chicken house.

A coon can tear poultry netting. It not that strong. A coon can reach through poultry netting and grab a chicken. Search poultry netting or chicken wire in the predator and pest section, and you'll find many post where it's failed. Minks and weasel can easily fit through poultry wire.

If you're area is free of predators, poultry netting should work well. If not, an HC apron that extends 2-3' up the sides and 18" along the ground is a good idea.

That photo was to show how a coon can reach through fencing and grab a chicken.

Poultry netting isn't specifically sold to keep predators out of a chicken house. It's sold to keep chickens IN a chicken house.

A coon can tear poultry netting. It not that strong. A coon can reach through poultry netting and grab a chicken. Search poultry netting or chicken wire in the predator and pest section, and you'll find many post where it's failed. Minks and weasel can easily fit through poultry wire.

If you're area is free of predators, poultry netting should work well. If not, an HC apron that extends 2-3' up the sides and 18" along the ground is a good idea.

The 2" wire we have on the inside floor was a free piece we got from Ed's brother. It is going to be buried under 4" of soil and straw. We bought a 1" mesh roll of 150 ft. that we are planning to use for the daytime yard and on the ground around the outside of the chicken house. Isn't that good enough? I am not too concerned about the daytime yard because the chickens will only be out when we are nearby, I am only concerned in maximum security nighttime shelter for when we are asleep and predators are more active.
We have not opened the 1" mesh roll, we could still return it if necessary but we think it will be sufficient.

 

[NewBoots]

Many years ago I learned the hard way about raccoons, chicken wire, and ducks. While I would still use 1" chicken wire on a day run only areas, I'm using 1/2" hardware cloth on the coop and main run.

 

[Mamatomany123]

I know a coon can tear poultry wire, but we are only using it for the daytime run and I am not concerned about daytime predators because when the chickens are out of the coop we will be here. We don't have any predators roaming around in the daytime except the neighbors dogs.

The floor under



The 2" wire we have on the inside floor was a free piece we got from Ed's brother. It is going to be buried under 4" of soil and straw. We bought a 1" mesh roll of 150 ft. that we are planning to use for the daytime yard and on the ground around the outside of the chicken house. Isn't that good enough? I am not too concerned about the daytime yard because the chickens will only be out when we are nearby, I am only concerned in maximum security nighttime shelter for when we are asleep and predators are more active.
We have not opened the 1" mesh roll, we could still return it if necessary but we think it will be sufficient.

We didnt have any predators either...until we got chickens.

 

[Terri McAlinden]

We didnt have any predators either...until we got chickens.

We didnt have any predators either...until we got chickens.

OK, I hear you. We think our nighttime fortress is secure. We will reconsider the daytime run. Thank you for your comments.

 

[Terri McAlinden]

Many years ago I learned the hard way about raccoons, chicken wire, and ducks. While I would still use 1" chicken wire on a day run only areas, I'm using 1/2" hardware cloth on the coop and main run.

Thank you, this is what I will do as well. Pray for my girls...