Do I need hardware cloth?

[Doran5Family]

I have a 4" gap between the roof and the back wall, do I have to cover it? Top perch will be 6" from the top of the back wall.

 

[redsoxs]

If you don't want to go out some morning and find you chickens gone are dead you need to cover it. 4" is a lot of room - a small raccoon can flatten itself and get in, not to mention a weasel or rats. Better safe than sorry.

 

[Doran5Family]

Could chicken wire work for now?

 

[Nicole01]

Yes, I would.

My husband put welded wire on the run. I had a breakdown for weeks and he finally added hardware cloth. Now our flock is really protected! I only close the run door now, so it stays cool at night.

 

[ChirpyChicks1]

Chicken wire will keep the chickens in, but it will keep nothing out

 

[JanetS]

Yes, and use hardware cloth.