Chicken Wire for Daytime Run

[UrbanChickensUT]

Hi All!

I added an extension to the existing run and wonder if I can get away with just chicken wire (19 ga) for the new section. The hens are locked up every night in their coop. Please let me know your thoughts.

 

[sourland]

Beautiful set up. I would be worried that dogs or coyotes would shred the chicken wire in a heartbeat.

 

[UrbanChickensUT]

Thanks! It has been a fun little project. Our yard is completely fenced in so I know dogs and coyotes would not be an issue. Are there other daytime predators that would be of concern as they will be completely secure at night?

 

[jeancordelia]

Whoa!
Daytime doe not mean that coyotes are not an issue. Fenced does not mean that they are not an issue. I come from Arizona and they live in the city and in the country. I have seen one flat footed jump a 6 foot fence at 9:30 in the morning in my daughter's yard in Scottsdale. They took a goose out of my mother's yard at 11 AM in a rural area. You are underestimating coyotes. Not a good idea.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Raccoons also are not strictly nocturnal, they are more Dayurnal than most think.

 

[TXchickmum]

It depends on the type of predators where you live. We only have hawks (daytime) and our new run area is enclosed with chicken wire. Their coops in which they're locked at night have hardware cloth. If you live in a suburban area that is free from fox, coyotes, and raccoons, I don't see any reason that chicken wire won't be adequate.

 

[Nicole01]

We have daytime coyotes here. They are not afraid of us or the noise. They can jump fences too as well as some dogs.

We used welded wire at first, which keeps dogs, coyotes, fox out and we ended up putting a layer of hardware cloth and put it over the welded wire, so I can leave the coop door open at night to let the cool air in.

Our biggest predators are the coyotes and dogs. I lost a hen to a stupid coyote this summer at 1:30pm. There is a whole pack in my back woods, but we can't catch them. We almost lost a second hen to that same coyote, but my 2 dogs chased it out.

Personally, I'd use hardware cloth as my number one option and welded wire as a number 2 option. Chicken wire is out of the question, plus it rusts much quicker then the other two wires.

 

[7L Farm]

My thoughts are do it right the first time use half inch hardware cloth on all your bird pens.

 

[Nicole01]

My thoughts are do it right the first time use half inch hardware cloth on all your bird pens.

I tried explaining this to my husband as I fully agree! After a year I finally convinced him with the hardware cloth. His reasoning was he thought welded wire was stronger. We ended up cutting the roof part off of the welded wire and installing a steel roof that's the same color as our house. What a waste of money! We spent a lot of unnecessary money and made a ton of revisions. Our coop is the never ending project as I want more roosts inside our coop. This will help come winter time. I have to say that I'm super pleased to have both wires! I feel that my flock is extra secure. He buried the welded wire pretty deep as well.

 

[UrbanChickensUT]

Thanks so much for all the replies. I will go with hardware cloth to be safe. I really appreciate all the input and advice as I am new to this hobby. I am amazed by the willingness to help others here on BYC.