Chicken Wire: Raccoon-safe?

[EasterEggerRose]

We built a new run off our new coop, which was built within an existing steel shed. We haven't yet cut the door in the building to let the chickens out into the run because we want to make sure it's predator-proof first.

We used heavy-duty playground fencing for the walls and buried some of it two feet out (perpendicular to the walls). The top is chicken wire attached to the fencing. (See pics)

We've been informed that chicken wire won't keep out raccoons (who just killed our little free-range rooster last night ).

What do we add to predator-proof our run?

 

[EasterEggerRose]

And yes, we do have a piano in the run.

 

[ValarieF]

Unfortunatley chicken wire is not racoon or predator proof they can chew right through it. The best thing is 1/4 inch hardware cloth. the 1.2 inch is weaker.

 

[CaliforniaMountainChicks]

Chicken wire won’t keep out raccoons, or really any other predator except hawks, eagles, or owls. You will need to replace the chicken wire with 1/2” 19 gauge hardware cloth.

 

[CaliforniaMountainChicks]

Unfortunatley chicken wire is not racoon or predator proof they can chew right through it. The best thing is 1/4 inch hardware cloth. the 1.2 inch is weaker.

1/4” is actually weaker than 1/2” hardware cloth. 1/4” is 23 gauge and 1/2” is 19 gauge. Dogs, raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, etc. can break the 23 gauge hardware cloth since it’s made with a thinner wire than the 1/2”!

 

[ValarieF]

1/4” is actually weaker than 1/2” hardware cloth. 1/4” is 23 gauge and 1/2” is 19 gauge. Dogs, raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, etc. can break the 23 gauge hardware cloth since it’s made with a thinner wire than the 1/2”!

ahhh I read somewhere the 1/2 inch was weaker Thank you!

 

[Folly's place]

I did miss the piano!
Hardware cloth for sure, everywhere if possible. And a dig proof perimeter.
The chain link fencing is nice, but won't keep rats or weasels out. As mentioned, chicken wire keeps chickens in, and only hawks out.
Our roofed run, small but safe because it's on the same concrete foundation with the coop, has hardware cloth, and the lower 4' has 2"x 4" woven wire also, all attached to the building framing with fence staples, and then 1'x 4" boards screwed in on top.
Only bears could get in!
Mary

 

[ValarieF]

I did miss the piano!
Hardware cloth for sure, everywhere if possible. And a dig proof perimeter.
The chain link fencing is nice, but won't keep rats or weasels out. As mentioned, chicken wire keeps chickens in, and only hawks out.
Our roofed run, small but safe because it's on the same concrete foundation with the coop, has hardware cloth, and the lower 4' has 2"x 4" woven wire also, all attached to the building framing with fence staples, and then 1'x 4" boards screwed in on top.
Only bears could get in!
Mary

Im gonna use this Im in the making of a coop and run, nice info!

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

1/4” is actually weaker than 1/2” hardware cloth. 1/4” is 23 gauge and 1/2” is 19 gauge. Dogs, raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, etc. can break the 23 gauge hardware cloth since it’s made with a thinner wire than the 1/2”!

*hurrys over to Amazon to make sure I ordered 1/2in 19gauge hardware cloth and not the 1/4in...


Whew...that was a close one ...

Good info