chicken wire as ventilation? good or bad?

[sheeshshe]

I am nothing but paranoid tonight. It is the first night in the coop for my chickens and I'm feeling like everything is all wrong and they will be gone in the morning. Everything seems pretty secure... I did some major lockdown a little while ago LOL! I screwed their pop door shut and this and that... all that is left that I am paranoid about is the chicken wire that is for thier ventilation near the top... can a raccoon get in there way up there?

This is it prior to fixing up...

is this ok? please tell me a raccoon won't take my chickies off in the night! I'm losing my mind!

 

[swedishfish]

My run is made with chicken wire, and I don't really have an actual "coop". I've had my mule tear the wire apart twice to get the feed, but never had a problem with raccoons. Your little vent hole will be fine. Especially with it being their first night out, the raccoons won't really know they're there.

 

[sheeshshe]

I thought that too, they don't know they're there yet right??? so I have time to further secure it tomorrow then? I am like major super paranoid. these are my babies!!!

BTW, my neighbor down the road half a mile lost most of hers the other night... her coop is not secure at all though. perhaps the coons won't even come to my house because they are too busy trying to get the rest of hers?

 

[wombat]

If you have racoons in your area, I'd recommend replacing the chicken wire with 1/2" hardware cloth when you can get to it.

Looks like the vent is small and well up the side of the coop, so it's more for peace of mind.

 

[sheeshshe]

OK! thank you

I will do something about it... I just hope I sleep tonight!