Can Racoons climb over 7 foot welded wire?

[jenichick]

We have the coop and run 98% complete. I do not have a net over the top but the 25x25 foot run walls are 1/4" welded wire and 7 1/2 feet tall. I have seen 1 coon sleeping in the neighbors tree but none on my property. The pop door/trap door is done and is how the are getting into the run during the day, they are closed up at night. I guess my question is what predators will climb a run such as this and will the netting stop them if they do?

thanks..

 

[BeckyLa]

Any animal that can climb a tree can climb a wire fence. And most likely can pull on or chew through the netting and get in. The netting, really, is for preditory birds. You would need to either use the wire you used for the sides or maybe 2x4 wire and securely cover the pen with that, leaving no holes and fixing it really strongly. Strong enough that the critter could walk on it or even jump on it without it coming loose. If I were in your situation, having seen the coon just next door, I would keep an eye on my birds whenever they are out and lock them up securely at night. I would also get a trap, catch the varment, and put him out of my misery.

 

[jenichick]

That's what I was afraid of. I was hoping not to cover the top of run with wire but since I've already spent over $1,000 to do it right what's a little more time and money.

We're surrounded by several thousand acres of state park, I know what I need to do.

Thanks,

 

[aran]

i put boom arms on the top of my 6foot fence with 3 strands of barbed wire hanging off it all the way around the run...let them climb through that!

 

[ivan3]

We have six ft. welded wire fencing. However, we also keep three havaharts set (most preds will go for an easy meal) - of course, there are airborne threats.

 

[aran]

i put netting over the entire 900sq foot enclosure!

 

[foxtrapper]

Electric wire is dandy around the perimiter of a run to prevent racoons and the like from starting up. Now if they've got the ability to climb in from above, via trees and the like, then you really do need to cover the run.