Can i use hardware cloth and then chicken wire higher up?

[RonP]

I originally built my run to keep a 200 pound dog out, this would be my worst predator.

I used multiple layers of protection.

My run framework allows only 18" of viewing before the next board.

The run is completely wrapped including the top, and 2' bottom buried projection, with 2x3 inch fencing.
I wired all the fencing sections into each other, making it as if one solid piece.
Only the bottom 2' of the run is wrapped with 1/2 inch hardware cloth.
This prevents prying little racoon hands.

Hurricane Sandy felled a huge tree that literally bounced off the coop and landed in the run.
The run collapsed, side and roof boards snapped like toothpicks.

The birds were still secure and protected by the fencing until the repairs were finally made 2 months later.

No lives were lost.

The birds have access to run 24/7.
The run is as secure as the coop.

No worries if done right.

 

[Foghornnmsprisy]

We used chicken wire for our chicken run. Then I started to realize after reading many posts that was a mistake. So we reinforced with cattle panels along the ground and bottom half of the run.

So now I've decided to lock them inside the coup at night until we can cover the whole thing in panels. We tried trapping raccoons that had moved into the attic at another location. They bent the frame on the trap. Ruined it. So now I have a heavy duty trap frame now. So if worse comes to worse. Ill start trapping again.

 

[RonP]

"So if worse comes to worse. Ill start trapping again."

Ahhh. Been there, done that.

I was at war with mother nature for quite some time.

Win a battle, lose a battle.

Way too many loses on both sides.

I found my energies better spent on building a strong defence.

I don't even think about predators anymore

.

My avitar is a reminder of my very last capacitor, just a baby.

Held him captive till I finished my reinforcements, then released him knowing he was now no longer my enemy nor threat.

 

[Foghornnmsprisy]

Ya well I have my fingers crossed that the dogs keep the coons back. We put the coup about 30 ft off the dogs fence. The little rooster we found has cost us alot of time and money. I thought we had it figured with the chicken wire. There should be a chicken 101 section with an animated chicken with a big red sign that says "don't use chicken wire stupid!!. Trapping really doesn't help because its either kill them or relocate them. Relocation kills them anyway. Holding them for a few days in the shade trapped works. The babies broke into our ac system and were looking at us thru the vents. I have an animal life style but after awhile it gets the best of you. If its not one thing it's another. I see chicken Fort Knox in our future.

 

[iwiw60]

My avitar is a reminder of my very last capacitor, just a baby.

Held him captive till I finished my reinforcements, then released him knowing he was now no longer my enemy nor threat.

Good for you!

 

[The Lazy L]

28 months with zero successful predators entries! AND I live in a woods full of coons, foxes and reported coyotes!

 

[iwiw60]

VERY nice setup indeed! You should well be proud of your efforts for sure!

 

[RonP]

28 months with zero successful predators entries! AND I live in a woods full of coons, foxes and reported coyotes!

Nice, very nice!

Not bragging, but no losses in over 5 years.

I also share my space with coons, foxes, birds of prey, and an occasional inquisitive pet.

 

[Xiao Casa]

Our run is covered with chicken wire, not hardware cloth. However, it is SUPER well secured, and the wire goes over the top of the run, too. We do have racoons here, as well as foxes, coyotes, hawks, skunks, and stray cats. We have not had any losses, nor any attempted break-ins (though I don't know how long that last bit will hold true). But, to be safe, we always lock them in at night. The coop is very sturdy, so even if a predator could conceive a way into the run, it would not get into the coop.

Some pictures of our setup:






The lock on the run:


The bolt is very hard to slide, I do not think that an animal could do it. I know I have a hard time opening the door, but we put the lock on at night just to be sure.

 

[eldiechick]

We have two runs for our girls. The first is chicken wire and boards, the second is done with hardware cloth. The chicken wire has been rusting so we have decided to o that one over with the hardware cloth also. The wire is buried at 24 inches a d the tops are also hardware cloth or will soon be. We lock up the girls as soon as dusk arrives as they are usually roosting by then anyway. We have been lucky so far with no predator activity seen.