Chicken wire on top of of run?

[MadisonOde]

Hey all,
I was wondering what would happen if we put hardware cloth on the run, but on the top we put chicken wire. We do have quite a few hawks here, but we have lilac bushes overhanging the run and maybe those would deter them? We haven't had any problems with predators yet, but just wondering if it would be safe for the chickens. Thanks!

 

[Athena2344]

I would do it, i had both tin and wire on my run, kept out cats, offered shade and protection from predators

 

[lazy gardener]

You will need something over your run. How much snow do you get? We are in snow country. I use bird netting during the summer months, and have one bay of my WINTER run which is covered with 2 x 4 welded fencing, as well as a peak roofed area that is covered with a clear tarp.

Hawks will gladly drop into an uncovered run to help themselves. I would opt for at least 2" chicken wire, make sure it's galvanized, and you will have to knock any wet snow through it.

Putting your general location in your profile will help folks to give appropriate advice.

 

[MadisonOde]

We would put something on the top of the run, whether its an actual roof or hardware cloth, I was just wondering if instead of that we could just put chicken wire on it. We are in snow country, SW Wisconsin, so that might be a problem.

 

[Athena2344]

You will just have snow fall through is all, a lot smaller of a problem than a hawk liking and tasting what he sees

 

[Folly's place]

I had the 2" chicken wire on my run for years, with framing on only 4' centers, and it did fine, with some shaking to drop the snow off (into the run, another story). It will keep raptors out, but nothing else. I also got tired of shoveling the snow, and finally had it all rebuilt in 2015 with a real roof. Wonderful!
Mary

 

[MadisonOde]

OK, thanks for all the great information!

 

[lazy gardener]

Obviously, your run will not be predator proof as far as weasels and large predators go, but if you secure your birds in a pred. proof coop every night, this will help.

 

[lazy gardener]

Even with the 2 x 4 wire, I have to knock the snow down through it.