I'm building my run around an existing 14'x20' chain link dog run. Will have to replace the gate with something to close down the gaps. Will also cover the top with 2"x4" welded wire. My question: Is the chain link good enough against predators? I read some warning about racoons reaching in or chicken heads coming through. But the chain link opening seems small enough, less than 2"x2". Can the coon reach in through it? and how far in? I image with the racoon around, the chickens will run know to stay away from the fence! Am I wrong? I heard that I should cover the bottom part of the fence with smaller opening chicken wire. But I spent enough money on this project it's beginning to hurt! Also, my run is build around 2 redwood trees, and the ground seems pretty tough. It's hard to imagine that a coon can "dig" under the fense to get in. Can it? Do I need to run smaller chicken wire along the base, folding out, to prevent racoon digging? Please advise. THANKs!
I have a chainlink fence kennel that i use for my polish chickens and i have it also wired on the top and bottem and yes raccoons can and will rip your chickens thru the fence, dig under the fence i still have to lock them up in there house attached to the fence every night or i would lose more (speaking from experience here) please wire it all around and put dirt on the bottom and bury it
Chickens seem to be mathematically inhibited and cannot estimate distances too well. They will walk right up to a chain link fence within easy reach of a coon. We lost four adult chickens that way. We wrapped the chain link with chicken wire and for two years have had no more trouble, until recently when something started picking them off while they were free-ranging. They're on coop arrest today.
both runs we have are chain link but have hardware cloth around the bottom & toed out to prevent digging by preds there is also hardware around top .
Check around the bottom of the chain link and look at how well it is attached to the framework. Most chain link kennels have cheap and insufficient attachment to the frame and a strong dog can pull the chain link away from the frame. You might have to reinforce the attachment.
I have a chain link run with chicken wire attached at the bottom and extending out 2 feet along the ground. Also 2 foot high plastic hardware cloth inside the chain link all around the bottom and also at the ends of each perch. Two runs of electric fence at the top - one extending above the top rail by 6 inches and the other extending out horizontally from the top by 6 inches.
My 6 week EE's can walk right through a chain link fence, I put hardware cloth around boyyom to prevent escapes.