FLORIDA!!!!!ALWAYS SUNNY SIDE UP!!!

[BlueChick62]

Will the coons reach THROUGH chain link? If I bury my fencing a foot below the ground do you think that will be good enough? I read somewhere they will reach though and get "parts" of your chickens. I may not be tough enough for this chicken endeavor!

 

[Bean789]

I am no expert by any means as I am new to chicken keeping and looking forward to building my coop. I have read in several blogs about raccoons reaching through chain link fencing as well as chewing/breaking through chicken wire. Most people suggest 1" hardware fabric for your coop as well as having an apron at least 2 feet out from the base of the coop to discourage digging predators. I hope to build mine with cinder blocks base, 2 layers, with the 1/2" hardware cloth spread out to cover the entire 'floor' of the coop and run with an apron between the layers as well as another apron 2 ft out from the block base top layer. I will be in an area where raccoons are present and possibly snakes. I hope to build a fortress to keep them all out and keep my girls safe. My girls have a temporary coop for now as I am moving in 4 weeks and the new home will have their permanent coop. I also thought about plastic lattice, 4 ft wide, buried 2 feet below ground and 2 feet above ground screwed to a 4X4 base for a decorative border around their coop as well as lining the bottom of the coop and run with the hardware cloth. I have seen several not so nice pics where raccoons have gotten to someone's chickens and it wasn't pretty. I would hate for my granddaughters to have to see something like that when they go out to collect eggs.

 

[Sahwithchicks]

Will the coons reach THROUGH chain link? If I bury my fencing a foot below the ground do you think that will be good enough? I read somewhere they will reach though and get "parts" of your chickens. I may not be tough enough for this chicken endeavor!

yes, coons will reach through wire and pull. They can pull small birds through chain link, and chicks through chicken wire. I enclose my run in chicken wire, but have a night time lock up coop that has hardware cloth to keep them safe. A coon is also capable of lifting lighter coops and reaching under it to grab birds. I learned that the hard way with my silver penciled cochins

 

[DRGLENNON]

Good morning everyone! I have been looking for some pure Ameraucana's. Is there anyone in central FL. that has any for sale? I perfer BBS but more concerned with pure breed.Thanks for any help you can be!

 

[delder2009]

Is there any action here? I'm a newbie to BYC! North Central Florida Gal!

welcome to BYC! I'm in Homosassa, citrus county. Wish you the best of luck with your little one's. Good job on the coop.

 

[Gingersnap722]

I am no expert by any means as I am new to chicken keeping and looking forward to building my coop. I have read in several blogs about raccoons reaching through chain link fencing as well as chewing/breaking through chicken wire. Most people suggest 1" hardware fabric for your coop as well as having an apron at least 2 feet out from the base of the coop to discourage digging predators. I hope to build mine with cinder blocks base, 2 layers, with the 1/2" hardware cloth spread out to cover the entire 'floor' of the coop and run with an apron between the layers as well as another apron 2 ft out from the block base top layer. I will be in an area where raccoons are present and possibly snakes. I hope to build a fortress to keep them all out and keep my girls safe. My girls have a temporary coop for now as I am moving in 4 weeks and the new home will have their permanent coop. I also thought about plastic lattice, 4 ft wide, buried 2 feet below ground and 2 feet above ground screwed to a 4X4 base for a decorative border around their coop as well as lining the bottom of the coop and run with the hardware cloth. I have seen several not so nice pics where raccoons have gotten to someone's chickens and it wasn't pretty. I would hate for my granddaughters to have to see something like that when they go out to collect eggs.

Welcome neighbor! I'm in Plant City.

 

[delder2009]

Will the coons reach THROUGH chain link? If I bury my fencing a foot below the ground do you think that will be good enough? I read somewhere they will reach though and get "parts" of your chickens. I may not be tough enough for this chicken endeavor!

if a coon can get their hand in a space they will not let go till they have what they wanted. If they can't pull it though they will bite their hand off and go at it with the other hand. I have my coop/run inside of another pin with a roof and hot wire around the top and bottom of that. I'm not so worried about the coons as the rescued dog's I have. They like coon and chicken.

 

[BlueChick62]

Hmmmmmm. The chain link seems strong enough… but looks like I'll need an overlay material of hardware cloth or poultry wire. Thanks for your help!

 

[BlueChick62]

Hi Delder' looks like you're fairly new to BYC, too! Welcome!

 

[BlueChick62]

Sadly, it sounds like the joke about the three legged pig. The farmer said he was too good of a pig to eat him all at one time. :/