Chicken wire

[chickenlove13]

Is chicken wire strong enough to keep out raccoons, possums, and coyotes? I have it buried two feet under ground and it covers the entire run including the top.

 

[harryg6167]

For me the chicken wire is doing great. I built these coops about 3
years ago and have the wire buried and as a cover to the top of
my runs.(Actually I have welded wire buried and chicken wire elsewhere.
3 years on these and no predator losses. Only time I have had
chickens killed was a couple of years ago while they were free
ranging by a german shepard but never to wild predators.

 

[twentynine]

Yes! A determined predator can get through 22ga chicken wire.

 

[gumpsgirl]

It is not strong enough. Predators and chew right through the stuff. Dogs can even go through it! You need something stronger.

 

[mrkep]

OK, so I need to use heavy gage welded wire to keep 4-legged predators out at ground level. I should bury it at least 6 inches? My question is now, is chicken wire sufficient over the top to keep hawks & owls out? I am just starting the coop construction, so I don't have to change anything, I would like to get things right to start.
Thanks, Bill

 

[manikkpudur]

Thick chicken mesh wires are preferable

 

[chickencoop31320]

I have welded wire "no climb" 2" X 4" fencing covered with chiken wire at the bottom and flared out to skirt the run.
On top I have black plastic netting.
So far I haven't lost anyone to a predator.
We have about a dozen BIG neighborhood dogs and probably more cats in the area,
I have also seen coyotes in the area.
I keep the grass mowed short all around the coop and there is also a security light near the coop.

 

[S Curry]

DO NOT USE CHICKEN WIRE!!!! I did because someone here said it was strong enough and we lost our whole flock.

 

[Backyard_Chicken_rancher]

Be safe use 1/2 inch welded wire at the bottom (in the ground as well) use hardware cloth this way they can dig but not get in and I would also use it anyplace you feel that a dog may try to get in or any wild animal.




ETA: Chicken wire is only good to cover the welded wire so little chicks cant get out. (If you buy the small kind)

 

[Daidohead]

I used chicken wire for my run with no problems, They are only out there in the daytime. Their coop is built secure, 1/2" hardware cloth on the door and windows, padlock on the door. Nothing gets in there. If you plan on letting them use the run 24/7 you should stay away from the chicken wire.