Chicken wire won't stop a determined coon

[RM44]

We had one go right through the wire. Luckily, he didn't get at the ladies. They were safe in the coop. I reinforced the lower 3 feet of the run with dog wire (fencing w/ 2"x4" grid) and put a new wire top on the run.

The little demon came in over the top of the run where there was only a tarp for shade. I guess he lost his mind when he couldn't get chicken for dinner and just chewed or clawed a hole through the wire on the way out.

 

[Namble]

Wow, thats scarey!

 

[speckledhen]

So true. Chickenwire is made to keep chickens in and very little out. Most every predator can chew through chickenwire. Glad you didn't lose any!

 

[Bizzybirdy]

Ya, racoons get VERY angry when they can't get the anticipated chicken dinner. One killed my old sleeping pet cat when he (the racoon) couldn't dig under the door to my coop (the door slides on a thin piece of plywood at the bottom) and there was no more cat food out because it was raining.

However that made ME very sad

and angry

and the racoon became history the next night.

Hope you catch it soon. Glad your chickies were safe.

 

[fowler_chick]

i haven't had a problem yet with one...first i refused to use chicken wire as a first defense in the safety of my flock, our coop is made of heavy chain link fence, how every i have taken chicken wire to baby proof it from the in side just in case there are any surprises

 

[Cetawin]

Coons are a PITA! I shot one right off the run fence...he was busy chewing and reaching through the chainlink trying to get to the pop door... he could not have opened the door if he had reached it but he was giving it heck trying.

 

[TrulyFowl]

Sorry for your close call!!! We live in the suburbs of a large city, and our only significant predators are the racoons. But they can do major damage if all animals are not in LOCKDOWN at night. We have recently adopted three ducklings, and this is how my husband is building their night pen:

1. He jackhammered (clay soil) eight inches down in a 14'x8' area.

2. Covered the bottom with 1/2" hardware cloth, which comes up to attach at the base of a 13.5x7.5 dog kennel.

3. Filled pen above the wire bottom with 2" of soil, 3" of sand, and 3" of pea gravel. (We'll soften that up with a couple of inches of pine shavings.)

4. Set chain link dog kennel on top and connected the 1/2" hardware cloth to the kennel. Then he has covered the sides of the kennel, as well as the top, with the same wire.

3. All gaps sealed. No openings larger than 1/2 " to prevent the coons from reaching in and grabbing a duck.

4. Next, he's building a similiarly reinforced duck house, with all ventilation covered with 1/2" wire.

If that sounds a little like prison, just know that the ducks will free range with the chickens during the day in our fenced yard, guarded by our dog.

But at night - BRING IT ON COONS!!!

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Quote:
This is incredibly true. Don't think chickenwire is going to keep your pets safe!

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Quote:
Sounds like your hubby is doing an awesome job at preditor proofing. Don't put any shavings in the run though. They will get poopy and wet and begin to REALLY stink. Pea gravel is really soft. I had put it down in my horse corral. It'll drain much easier on top of the sand and you should be able to just hose it down.

Be sure to share some pics of your hubbies hard work.

 

[sotelomary]

We also have racoons in our neighborhood. My coop is totally predator proofed. It is enclosed with 1" hardware cloth and sits on a brick foundation so nothing can dig under it. I still do weekly inspections around it to make sure everything is safe and intact.
I'm glad it was only a close call and that your chickens are safe. We can never let our guard down. Good luck keeping themsafe.