Can chickens eat through a chicken-wire barrier?

[SueAndHerZoo]

Yes, this is another squirrel-problem thread. Our yard borders the woods so we have dozens, probably more, foraging for food in our yard all year long. We didn't mind so much before we had chickens, and even after getting the chickens I was "OK" with them because the chickens didn't seem to mind them. But today when I went to top off the chicken feeder, it was bare.... not a crumble left. It's the type that holds several pounds of feed with "head holes" on the bottom front and sides for the chickens to feed from. I have it elevated on cinder blocks (not directly on the ground) but the squirrels are tall enough that they stand on their tiptoes and stick their heads right in and clean me out. I was going to electify the metal run but that stuff scares me and sounds complicated. I really don't want to spend the time and effort to totally enclose the TSC run (10' by 10') in hardware cloth.... I thought doing the bottom 24" was sufficient (and that was expensive and cumbersome enough).

What if I took some chicken wire and put it inside the chicken feeder covering the openings? I'm thinking the chickens could still get their beaks through it but maybe it would keep the squirrels heads out? They're making me crazy and eating me out of house and home (the squirrels, not the chickens).
Sue

 

[cavemanrich]

Hunger is a terrible thing. regardless chicken, or squirrel.
I have squirrels, and I feed them BOSS. I have never seen squirrels at the chickenfeed bowl.
You can try to put the screening (chicken wire) on the bottoms of those PVC elbows. Chickens will be able to peck, and eat crumbles/pellets thru that. Squirrels of course will attempt to eat it as well. It will only slow the squirrels, but not stop them.
Consider getting a 50pound bag of BOSS, and feeding squirrels outside of your run area.

You can also add some of these natural repellants. some OK inside feed bucket, and others around perimeter.
Mint, Peppermint Oil, Capsaicin, Coffee Grounds, White Vinegar, Garlic, Cinnamon, , and Rosemary.
Some of these may not be too great for chickens to consume. I'm pretty sure capsaicin is fine. Garlic may be also fine.
Easy way to do this; place ingredients into a cotton sock, and tie shut. Place into middle bottom of feed bucket. The squirrels will get a whiff, and may decide "this stuff is not for us"

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[cavemanrich]

Another thought crossed my mind. Actually 2.
Can the little critters be mice, and rats also??

You already have the first bottom 2 feet done. ( Hardware clothe I assume)
You can enclose the remaining portion of your run in chicken wire. That is not extremely expensive, compared to HC.
Squirrels will not try to get thru that.

 

[Loving my girls]

Do you have a motion sensor camera?
Do you know anyone who can lend you one ?

I have found mine very useful for identifying the seriousness of my rat and mouse problem before I bourght my treadle feeder. And then the same afterwards. I use it a lot.

 

[Loving my girls]

Another thought crossed my mind. Actually 2.
Can the little critters be mice, and rats also??

You already have the first bottom 2 feet done. ( Hardware clothe I assume)
You can enclose the remaining portion of your run in chicken wire. That is not extremely expensive, compared to HC.
Squirrels will not try to get thru that.

Rats can get through chicken wire. It is best to identify what you are up against before treating the problem.

 

[cavemanrich]

Rats can get through chicken wire. It is best to identify what you are up against before treating the problem.

It is against the squirrels. I know mice, and small rats can squeeze thru.
If OP does determine rats and mice, I do have a solution for those as well.

 

[Loving my girls]

It is against the squirrels. I know mice, and small rats can squeeze thru.
If OP does determine rats and mice, I do have a solution for those as well.

Squirrels are like little demolition monsters.

I would use, a wire gauge of about 14 certainly no less with a hole size of 2” or less. This will keep out all the little monsters but if you have a big area it is probably cost a lot.

Hope this helps.

 

[SueAndHerZoo]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. We have it all here since my "backyard" behind my chained link fence is woods and a brook. Mice, rats, chipmunks, rabbits, possum, groundhogs, raccoons, hawks, blue heron (I have a pond in my yard). I have cameras all around the perimeter of my home and I have another one covering the chicken coop/run area. Also one inside the coop. I have caught a raccoon trying to get in twice but gave up and hasn't been back. The mice and rats I keep trapping but due to the woods I'm afraid there might be an endless supply. We are animal lovers and have been feeding the birds (and consequently the squirrels) for many years with our numerous bird feeders and enjoyed watching their antics, until I got chickens. Now it's becoming a problem. I can't afford to keep feeding all the wildlife AND make sure the chickens are fed properly. Even this animal lover has her limits.

I guess I may have to break down and wrap the entire chicken run in chicken wire or some other fencing, but as we know, those squirrels are relentless. I was going to get a squirrel-proof chicken feeder but not sure those exist - squirrels are determined, clever creatures.

The only other thought I had was building a feed enclosure inside the run and install an automatic door on it so it only opens a couple of times a day but that comes with it's own set of complications and hassles. The electric fence seems like a feasible solution but that, too, comes with so many additional challenges.

I am heavily involved with animal rescue and have had probably every type of critter you can imagine in my home so I'm all for "live and let live" but at this rate I will be going broke trying to feed both the domestic and non-domestic creatures. It's a frustrating and emotionally painful dilemma - I want ALL animals to be fed to satiation, but.....
Sue

 

[TeresaW]

A weird idea that I have no idea will work. What if you were to ferment their crumbles? Would the squirrels eat that?

 

[aart]

I wouldn't make your chickens eat thru chicken wire, could cause comb and/or wattle wounds....and I think the squirrels could eat thru it anyway.