Chicken run, break in

[MalMom]

Today when I got home from work I went to check on my girls, only to find that something had (tried?) broken into my chicken run. I have cattle panels for the structure with chicken wire over them, and something chewed threw the chicken wire. Only one of the squares from the cattle panel was exposed, but what the hell could have chewed through the wire, and more importantly how do I keep it form happening again?! Both of my girls are fine, and I don't know if it happened last night, or today, as I didn't have time to check on them this morning. I brought them in the house for the night but I have no idea how to fix the run. Any ideas?

 

[Angiebubs]

maybe try those predator night eye lights? scary....good luck

 

[MalMom]

Thanks, I don't know what that is but I'll look into it. Any other ideas?

 

[aart]

I wouldn't count on the night eyes working, positive physical barrier is best.

Dogs, coyote, raccoons, fox can chew thru chicken wire.

1/2" x 1/2" hardware cloth wired over cattle panels would be tougher to chew thru, harder to get teeth into, but it's got to be attached very well especially at the edges. Sounds like you have a hoop type run, is there a coop for night time security?

Hot wire is another possible solution.

 

[kardar2]

You could put another cattle wire over the existing one and off set a half square or get the hard cloth and line the inside of pen .

 

[MalMom]

They don't have a coop to be locked into at night. Right now I am using an old dog house until I can get a coop made. They are only 12 weeks old and I'm not as prepared in the coop department as I should be. I had no idea animals could get through the chicken wire. I mean, that's why there IS chicken wire... right? I guess not. I'll look into the hard cloth wire, I'm not sure what that is, but I bet I can find it. Thanks to everyone for the advice!

 

[duckman14]

You can find the 1/2"x1/2" hardware mesh at any DIY store. Menards, lowes, Home Depot. Ect..

 

[MalMom]

Thanks Duckman.

 

[duckman14]

No prob

 

[sn0wwhite]

I've heard that the best part of chicken wire is the fact that the top is sort of soft and bendy so chickens don't roost on it. Other than that, it's not a good barrier to keep things out.