Chicken Run Question

[HotWingsHoulihen]

I an planning on building a 10'x20' run using a party tent frame. I would like to wrap the entire thing in chicken wire and then run 36" high welded wire fencing (2"x 4" openings) around the bottom with 12" of the fencing bent out as a no dig barrier. The chickens will be cooped at night for safety.

Which is the preferable chicken wire for runs? 2" opening or 1" opening?

 

[aart]

Which is the preferable chicken wire for runs? 2" opening or 1" opening?

Neither are predator proof,
large animals can chew thru it - smaller ones go thru the holes,
but 1" would be preferable if you must go that route.

 

[HotWingsHoulihen]

Would the welded wire fencing along the bottom deter larger animals from tearing through?

 

[DobieLover]

Would the welded wire fencing along the bottom deter larger animals from tearing through?

Please see this thread for your answer to using anything but hardware cloth on your run. Remember, animals can and will climb up the HC to gain entry through the chicken wire.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/all-my-hens-are-dead.1293390/

 

[aart]

Would the welded wire fencing along the bottom deter larger animals from tearing through?

Yep, probably, except the ones that can climb...good to add an anti dig apron too.
Good examples of anti-dig apron installation, tho I'd not recommend 1/2" HC (unless you have small rodents like rats)...go with 14ga 1x2 or 1x1, will hold up much longer and is easier to lay flat.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1110498/wire-around-coop#post_17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

How 'secure' you make your run may depend on daytime predator load and if you're around or not. There are a plethora of mesh combinations you could use.

Mine is not totally predator proof, but I'm home and in sight 90% of the time. My main concern was hawks, this works very well for them, but a large pred could probably get in if they had time to work at it...have seen fox and coyote bounce off the run walls, followed up by my going down and yelling at them.

 

[jonezjollyfarm]

Dont use the party tent. I have one over mine I'm desperately trying to replace. It's a pain, it will fall apart. And definitely dont use chicken wire. We did and the coons just stretch it and get in anyway. Fortunately they cant get in the coop and have only burglarized the run in the night.

 

[HotWingsHoulihen]

@aart Thanks for the heads up. My wife is home during the day and can keep an eye out for preds. The chickens will be secured in the coop at night.

Dont use the party tent. I have one over mine I'm desperately trying to replace. It's a pain, it will fall apart. And definitely dont use chicken wire. We did and the coons just stretch it and get in anyway. Fortunately they cant get in the coop and have only burglarized the run in the night.

What is the biggest pain about it? Just that it's falling apart or it's hard to keep together?

 

[jonezjollyfarm]

Their weak, definitely falls apart, could easily become debris in a wind storm....and probably my #1 complaint is from my neighbors its ugly as sin

 

[HotWingsHoulihen]

....and probably my #1 complaint is from my neighbors its ugly as sin

LOL! I'm with you on that one.

 

[aart]

How 'weak' they are depends on the framing...some are much better than others.