Does a run absolutely need a top?

[mendogurl]

I know I am paranoid, but I have read enough about what raccoons will do to chickens to know that if I wake up to that kind of carnage, there will be no more chickens after that, for me.
I don't mean to sound preachy, but I think that if we decide to keep animals and birds, we owe them safety and care. We kinda owe them.
Just my opinion.

You might look into hardware cloth, and make sure there is enough structure to hold it together.

 

[AHappychick]

Quote:
yep!

 

[AHappychick]

Quote:
No. (WEll, skunks don't climb so they're not an 'over the wall' danger -- but raccoons certainly do, as do possums, some foxes, and some dogs)

They will just stand up there and rip it apart, or even just collapse it with their weight til an opening comes apart where two parts were formerly joined.

Personally I think that if you're not going to use something varmint-proof like well-supported 2x4 wire mesh, may's well just drop back to trellis netting or something like that, it's cheaper and I don't see as it's really any meaningful step down in security from chickenwire (which is also much more aggravating to install as a top).

There are lots of ways of doing it according to your personal feelings about risks and consequences, though.

JMO,

Pat

I use the deer netting, I know they can chew through it but the way I set up my fene there is very little stability at the top 12 inches of the fencing that attatches to the netting, it wont come down or anything, but it will shake if something tries to climb the top of it and make it nearly imposible to stabalize themselves enough to also rip or chew through. Or at least that is my theory. its hard to explain but I know I have coons but so far they have not been successful. Sometimes I use the green nylon stuff but it is more expensive.

 

[mendogurl]

Quote:
No. (WEll, skunks don't climb so they're not an 'over the wall' danger -- but raccoons certainly do, as do possums, some foxes, and some dogs)

They will just stand up there and rip it apart, or even just collapse it with their weight til an opening comes apart where two parts were formerly joined.

Personally I think that if you're not going to use something varmint-proof like well-supported 2x4 wire mesh, may's well just drop back to trellis netting or something like that, it's cheaper and I don't see as it's really any meaningful step down in security from chickenwire (which is also much more aggravating to install as a top).

There are lots of ways of doing it according to your personal feelings about risks and consequences, though.

JMO,

Pat

I use the deer netting, I know they can chew through it but the way I set up my fene there is very little stability at the top 12 inches of the fencing that attatches to the netting, it wont come down or anything, but it will shake if something tries to climb the top of it and make it nearly imposible to stabalize themselves enough to also rip or chew through. Or at least that is my theory. its hard to explain but I know I have coons but so far they have not been successful. Sometimes I use the green nylon stuff but it is more expensive.

Oh that is interesting. So because it is not stable the raccoons stay off of it ? You have something else on the sides of your run?

 

[BCMominMD]

Does anyone have picts (or a description) of how to use pvc pipe to make arcs over the run to attach netting or wire to?

 

[Hobbley_Farm]

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It may be, but I'd add some old CD's on there so that you don't end up with a tangled raptor!

I have a friend who did that. But not with Fish Line. He used a small twine. I think he did it more to keep his chickens out.

We have birds of prey here, but I have noticed that if you have dogs or people always milling around the chickens, there doesn't seem to be a problem with them (knock on wood) We have three large dogs and several cats who are always hanging around the back yard right outside the chicken lot. Haven't had a problem with Birds of prey yet. THOUGH, if a chicken gets out...my dogs are STILL learning that LIVE chickens are not food...they're Friends!

 

[maf2008]

I am building the very thing this weekend! I am building a 25x50 pvc "run coop" and its huge!. I decided to make it flat cube and 6 ft tall with 3 foot wire welded at the bottom and double strength chicken wire on top and sides.

I got 19 gauge "electric" wire and I use for brading and twist tie the wire together.

At the bottom of the run I am pouring 15 bags of quick dry cement, wire braces to hold all in place.

Instead of making a metal/tin roof "too heavy" I decided to layer twigs small branches on the top of the run for shade and to deter water. It wont be "water proof" but lighweight enough to not cause the run to collapse.

Be sure to go to tractor supply and look for a "solar electric gate" You can EASY make an electric shock fencing around the chicken coop. If a coon or possum even touches the wire he will be knocked back! these are easy to make and will deter preditors.

If this works I will build an even bigger chicken city! Seriously, I will also connect this run to my other coop for a huge run/coop 25x90 whew!

 

[chickens3]

looks good.