Buried fencing

[demryf]

We are building an outdoor duck yard that will be completely fenced in (lots of predators) and were wondering if we could use 2x4 welded wire to bury around the perimeter and apron out. I have only seen ck wire and hardware fabric used.

 

[Alaskan]

The 2x4 wire has very large openings. It would probably be great to use as the buried part, since the buried part is only acting as a deterrent to digging.

However, the lowest part of the run would be oodles safer with the hardware fabric since then raccoons would not be able to stick their hands into the run.

If a raccoon can reach in a hand and grab any duck part (foot or head) the raccoon will not let go, and will pull that part to the fence and chew it off. That is why people like to use the hardware cloth.....no raccoon hands can get in.

 

[yyz0yyz0]

how about the green welded wire fencing as the buried fencing, would that be strong enough? It has smaller holes than 2x4, I think they are more like 2x2 and it might be cheaper. But if it's not strong enough then it's not worth it.
I will be using HW cloth at the bottom of the run but for the upper section, top and buried I"m looking for something cheaper.

 

[demryf]

Thank you for the info on the welded wire and raccoon issue.

I think we are needing to review our plans. So, as the new owners of 5 baby ducklings (kids pets) we are in the midst of the coop/fence building project. The plan was to use 2x4" welded wire for the main fence, have a 3' lower half of chicken wire (but now I am thinking hardware cloth) and bury a 6" digging deterrent (welded wire?) with an 18" apron. Any feedback on the types of fencing to use and in which places would be greatly appreciated. We have lots of predators and are already very attached to our baby ducks. Thanks!

 

[Alaskan]

I think safest would be to use hardware cloth for everything.

But, since we are not made of money.... You could use whatever is cheapest to bury under ground to deter predators. Then, anywhere where the ducks might be sitting use hardware cloth. You could use something a bit cheaper for the rest of the run, especially the top, unless you have a tree right up against the run which would mean that more predators are more likely to be running around on top.

I think many people use hardware cloth for the bottom 1 to 3 feet and then use a less expensive wire for the rest of the run if the animals are locked up every night. If you are not going to lock them up every night, then it is best to use hardware cloth on the entire run.

Also remember, besides the raccoons reaching in with their hands, and the raccoons unlocking everything, the other big problem is that dogs can be very strong and will grab chicken wire or welded wire and yank it apart with their teeth.

I know, major pain, and lots of money. Just remember that doing it all right the first time means it will last for years and save you lots of heart ache.