Chain Link vs. Racoons

[Angluvspds]

Hello All....I have a dog kennel (7 x 12) that I am converting to a duck nighttime enclosure. It had an existing doghouse, which I am expanding/updating, and it has an asphalt floor (the bottom of the kennel is buried in the asphalt). I have put field fencing over the top, and 1/4" x 2' hardware cloth around the bottom. I am reducing the space aound the door with 2 x 4's because I felt the gap between the kennel and the door was a little too wide (about 2.5"). However, what concerns me is if a racoon (maybe a juvenile) would be able to squeeze through the openings in the chain link. I just don't know what they're capable of, but I know I do have nightly visits from racoons who look for any leftover catfood on the back porch (about 10' away from where the ducks will be housed).
I've already spent a fair amount of money on fencing and lumber to modify the kennel and dog house. So I would like to know your experience with racoons and whether or not they would be able to squeeze through chain link or any other tricks they may have up their sleeves that you have experienced. These are my first ducks and I am in love. I would never forgive myself if something happened to them because I was too cheap to go buy another roll of fencing. Also, I could lock them up in thier house at night, but I'd rather they had the option of being outside since they love the open air so much.
Thanks!

 

[junebuggena]

They won't be able to get their whole bodies in, but they will be able to reach in, grab hold of a bird, and tear it apart. Locking them in the house at night would probably be best.

 

[MeepBeep]

Not knowing your location you have to also consider weasels and minks the long tailed weasel habitat covers pretty much the entire US, they can squeeze through chain link...

Also as said raccoon will reach through chain link and if they get a hold of a bird they will rip it apart so the bird fits through the chain link...

 

[Angluvspds]

They won't be able to get their whole bodies in, but they will be able to reach in, grab hold of a bird, and tear it apart. Locking them in the house at night would probably be best.

Thanks so much.

I knew about the grabbing them from the outside, which is why I put hardware cloth around the bottom. If I have enough left, I will probably wrap it around again, making the enclosure almost completely wrapped in hardware cloth (4' high).

To my knowledge, we do not have minks, weasels, or other creatures like that. Just skunks, opposums and racoons.

Thank you!

 

[Angluvspds]

Not knowing your location you have to also consider weasels and minks the long tailed weasel habitat covers pretty much the entire US, they can squeeze through chain link...

Also as said raccoon will reach through chain link and if they get a hold of a bird they will rip it apart so the bird fits through the chain link...

Thanks. I am in the Portland Oregon area. I don't think we have weasels, or at least, I've never seen one. Something I'll have to google I guess

 

[junebuggena]

You have weasels and martens, you just don't see them.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Chain link works well for daytime predators, close coop door for night protection.

 

[Angluvspds]

You have weasels and martens, you just don't see them.

I looked on ODFW website and they say that weasels and martens live east of the cascades and in the cascade mountain ranges. It could be possible that we have mink, but a pretty slim chance since I am not around any body of water and they tend to primarily live on the banks of lakes and rivers (according to ODFW). I have two cats that kill everything that comes into our yard, including nearly full sized rabbits, gophers, etc. They've never brought me a weasel so it looks like that will probably not be my main concern. Racoons are really at the top of my list. They killed one cat already. I have a neighbor with several open yards full of chickens, geese, and ducks. I'll have to go down and ask him how he keeps them alive because it doesn't look like they have any kind of closeable shelter. They're just out in big yards all the time.

Thanks for your help!

 

[MeepBeep]

I looked on ODFW website and they say that weasels and martens live east of the cascades and in the cascade mountain ranges.

Scroll down to the long-tailed weasel, as I said previous their habitat is pretty much the entire US... Even if they are no prominent in your area it only takes one...

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/species/mammals/weasels_skunks_badgers_otters.asp#Top

 

[Angluvspds]

Thanks. I'll have to go down and pick my neighbors brain to find out what lurks around the area. I have a feeling I haven't seen anything like this because of the cats. There are lots of them around, including mine. But its good to know this is a possibility. Thank you!