Chicken wire on roof

[Lulu-vt]

I spent the larger part of the summer building my coop. I haven’t fully finished the run yet. It has chicken wire on top, primarily to keep the hawks out. But I realize this won’t keep any four legged animal out.

If the chickens are locked up tight in their coop at night am I somewhat safe to assume they will be safe?

How likely is it that a raccoon, fisher cat or bobcat will try to get to them during the daytime while they are in their run? I would rather finish the roof in the spring but I’m wondering if that’s foolish?

 

[K0k0shka]

Predators get more desperate and brave in the winter when food is scarce. So if you have to risk it, winter is the worst time to do that. The raccoons in my area patrol during daylight hours, too, and they climb. I wouldn't risk it.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Can you place some plywood over the top until you get the time to replace the chicken wire? A screw in each corner will probably stop entry.

 

[K0k0shka]

Be aware of snow load when putting anything on top of the run, even leaving just the chicken wire on. If you put a solid roof on the run like plywood, it will need to have enough of a pitch to shed the snow, otherwise if the structure isn't sound enough, the whole thing can collapse. Chicken wire on its own can collect enough show for the run to collapse, too. I learned that the hard way with my garden - I put a greenhouse frame around it and covered it top to bottom (and overhead) with chicken wire, to protect it from critters. The frame had a pitched roof shape, and was built out of steel pipes. I thought snow would fall through the chicken wire holes... HAHAHA. Was that a rude awakening when I got up one morning to find the ENTIRE structure caved in and collapsed down to the floor! We got heavy snow during the night, and there was nothing I could do. I had to replace the whole structure in the spring. So avoid chicken wire over the run unless the frame is extremely solid and the rafters are very close together.

If you are unable to build a pitched solid roof in time for winter, I would recommend replacing the chicken wire with welded wire that has 2"x4" gaps. That's not big enough to keep weasels and fishers out, unfortunately, but it will stop bigger predators like raccoons, which are more common, too, and will allow snow to fall through and not build up on top.

 

[Lulu-vt]

Be aware of snow load when putting anything on top of the run, even leaving just the chicken wire on. If you put a solid roof on the run like plywood, it will need to have enough of a pitch to shed the snow, otherwise if the structure isn't sound enough, the whole thing can collapse. Chicken wire on its own can collect enough show for the run to collapse, too. I learned that the hard way with my garden - I put a greenhouse frame around it and covered it top to bottom (and overhead) with chicken wire, to protect it from critters. The frame had a pitched roof shape, and was built out of steel pipes. I thought snow would fall through the chicken wire holes... HAHAHA. Was that a rude awakening when I got up one morning to find the ENTIRE structure caved in and collapsed down to the floor! We got heavy snow during the night, and there was nothing I could do. I had to replace the whole structure in the spring. So avoid chicken wire over the run unless the frame is extremely solid and the rafters are very close together.

If you are unable to build a pitched solid roof in time for winter, I would recommend replacing the chicken wire with welded wire that has 2"x4" gaps. That's not big enough to keep weasels and fishers out, unfortunately, but it will stop bigger predators like raccoons, which are more common, too, and will allow snow to fall through and not build up on top.

I did have a very pitched roof but it looked to tall so for aesthetic purposes I cut it down. Now it’s almost flat. So not amazing for snow. I’ll have to keep an eye on it.

 

[Lulu-vt]

Can you place some plywood over the top until you get the time to replace the chicken wire? A screw in each corner will probably stop entry.

I guess I could just continue building. I’ve been putting on a metal roof as I find used pieces in my community. I’m half way there. But yes, plywood is a good idea since I will need that underneath the metal anyways. Thanks.

 

[K0k0shka]

I did have a very pitched roof but it looked to tall so for aesthetic purposes I cut it down. Now it’s almost flat. So not amazing for snow. I’ll have to keep an eye on it.

Sacrificing functionality for looks is not a good idea…
Plywood doesn’t do well outdoors, so don’t count on that being a long term solution. If it’s under a metal roof, it will be more protected, but then what’s the point of having plywood as well, if you already have a metal roof? You don’t need both if the rafters are close enough together, and they have to be, regardless of the roofing material, to carry the snow load on your almost flat roof.