So I went home and shared my new knowledge for the day with my hubby. I told him he needed to frame in the chicken wire for the ventilation between the coop and the roof, so that raccoons couldn't warp it and get into the coop. Now we are both confused, because the wire was already going to be nailed to the plywood and the roof frame. Does anyone have pics, or a better explanation of what we should be doing?
not sure what you mean. the space between the rafters and the roof ? in any event, i would not count on chicken wire to do the job.
yes. The coop walls are plywood, framed with 2x4s. At the front of the coop the 2x4s extend an extra 6 inches, to provide a slanted roof. That six inch gap will be left for ventilation at all times. We are going to cover it with chicken wire, attached to the 2x4s, roof, and plywood.
The first pics are on my page, but in that pic the last wall and the roof have not been installed. But, you can see the 2x4 framing. I need to take more pics.
Rather than chicken wire, I use and I'd recommend 1/4-inch hardware cloth for inside a coop; that way, not even a snake can get in. I use and recommend 1/2-inch hardware cloth for the run. Chicken wire should only be used where there's no chance of any predator getting close to it because they can go through it like it's not there. You want your coop locked tight and as close to 100% predator proof as you can get it at night.
What Joe said. I used chicken wire on the top part of my run last fall and will have to replace it already as it has rusted out. Use the 1/4" hardware wire and attach it with screws and washers to your existing 2x4 framing. Done.
JennMugg, from your written description and your webpage, it looks like you're planning a 6-inch roof overhang (eave) front and back. I'm guessing you're wrapping the hardware cloth from the roof, around the sawn ends of the 2x4s, back along the six projecting inches, and all the way to the walls, and attaching it with staples. I think what people mean by framing in the hardware cloth is that, in your case, you will nail a fascia board across the sawn ends of the rafters from one side to the other, over top of the hardware cloth. At the wall end, you will let the hardware cloth hang down the wall a little bit and nail up a...bargeboard?...anyhow, a trimboard that goes along the wall from one side to the other, and covers over the tail end of the hardware cloth where it hangs down. The purpose for this is to keep little raccoon paws from being able to tear the cloth away. Now they'll have to get the claw hammer and cat's paw to take it apart, and you'll hear them clanking away and be able to scare them off!
