Can raccoons chew through polycarbonate panels?

[K0k0shka]

I'm thinking of giving my run a polycarbonate roof (the clear panels) to let more light in. Are they enough on their own to stop predators, or can they be chewed through? Should I also put a layer of hardware cloth underneath them or will they be enough to stop chewy critters?

 

[cavemanrich]

Those panels are enough.... I don't think a raccoon really wants to chew thru the roof down. They will choose to chew thru whatever near ground level.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[K0k0shka]

Those panels are enough.... I don't think a raccoon really wants to chew thru the roof down. They will choose to chew thru whatever near ground level.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

That's a relief, thanks!

 

[JoeInPA]

A raccoon most definitely can, but I highly doubt they ever would. Knocking over your garbage cans is an easier meal for them than chewing through polycarbonate. You're good!

Also I have a polycarbonate roof on my run and I love it. It keeps the rain out and while mine isn't the clear type, it ensures the chickens always have some shade and some sun that they can go to.

 

[K0k0shka]

A raccoon most definitely can, but I highly doubt they ever would. Knocking over your garbage cans is an easier meal for them than chewing through polycarbonate. You're good!

Also I have a polycarbonate roof on my run and I love it. It keeps the rain out and while mine isn't the clear type, it ensures the chickens always have some shade and some sun that they can go to.

Good to hear, thanks! My run is already in a very shady area. I'm gonna get them the clear type so they can get some sun, too.

 

[aart]

Boy, I don't know.
Might be good to put some 2x4 mesh under the poly, just in case.
Or make sure you use lots of screws all around the edges so no place they can lift up,
I wouldn't put it past them to break if not chew.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I wouldn't put it past them to break if not chew.

I also think it'd be more likely that they try to break it off rather than chew it, and that's probably pretty unlikely, but you never know with animals.

 

[K0k0shka]

Hmmm... Sounds like lots of screws with washers then!

 

[aart]

Hmmm... Sounds like lots of screws with washers then!

Right!
Would be easier to toss a piece of mesh there before adding poly panels...
...then you don't have to worry about it later.

 

[Trimurtisan]

I don't have any experience with the panels your asking about. A few years back though, my mom had a family of coons rip up her house roof down to the wood, then proceeded to do it 3x more times that winter. It was not until the last time we actually saw the coons. In her circumstances, we believe it was for a heat source, not food. We also found out the roof was faulty right at that location and the attic heat was escaping. Once that portion of the roof was fixed, they never came back. I know that's not the same situation, but thought I'd share it.

All that being said, I'd continue without to much caution. Best of luck!