Experiences with predators going through wood walls.

[centrarchid]

The most common, both where I live and where you live, is the longtail which also happens to be the largest. (They all change to white in the winter so are also known a ermine.) I have trapped these both for fur and live to get rid of them so have seen them up close. (They're a PIA to skin, BTW.) Their heads are no bigger around than a quarter and they have a unique build that allows them to get their shoulders and hind legs through any hole their head will fit through. This is because there most common prey are mice--they will kill and stockpile them. Trust me, if a mouse can get through a hole, so can a weasel. I had one gain entry to my coop through a place where mice had chewed a corner off the lower edge of a door. I could barely stick my finger through the hole. No chicken wire or welded wire will be a deterrent, go with at least half-inch hardware cloth.

BTW, a mink which is half again larger than a weasel can get through a surprisingly small hole too.

Also, I've lost chickens to weasels, mink and fishers so know from whence I speak.

OK, for now on weasels beating some types of wire. For me they are not that big of a problem and may not be for OP either. My pens are far more open, yet other mechanisms in place to limit activities of those little guys.

 

[Manhen]

OK, for now on weasels beating some types of wire. For me they are not that big of a problem and may not be for OP either. My pens are far more open, yet other mechanisms in place to limit activities of those little guys.

You are germaine, the only storey UL ever told about loosing chickens to a varmint (concrete floor and block walls) was a weasel. He squeezed in through a chink in the doorway, and couldn't get the dead bird out, so he killed another, and another....

 

[Biddybot]

My experience is that a raccoon can tear through 1/2" plywood if it's the least bit damaged and would have an even easier time of it if it were chipboard. A double wall of quality 1/2" plywood topped with 3/4" plywood for the roof should stop anything. (Except a bear, mind...)

12-gauge 1" by 1/2" 'rabbit wire' should likewise stop anything, including weasels, if it's soundly attached and can't be readily torn off. The standard bottom wire for commercial rabbit cages where I live so you can imagine how sturdy it is, to be able to support a ten or twelve pound rabbit mom, her nesting box, and a dozen babies which'll weigh several pounds apiece towards the end. A good wire to put over sliding windows or ventilation slots/holes to predator-proof a coop. It'd get pretty pricey if you used it for a big run, too, but it would definitely keep your birds secure as long as it's attached to a good framework and you secured the edges against digging.

Anything lighter gauge would do for the smaller predators, but I'd worry about those nasty, hungry, determined big male raccoons...they get awful big and strong hereabouts! Thank gawd we don't have wolverines...

 

[Manhen]

whoa, that must have been a good question. I think it has been answered. Kudos!