We took our 3.5 week old White Leghorns outside again today to play in their exercise pen while I worked on the coop/run. At one point I heard my 10 yr old son screaming "get out of here" - and a bunch of squawking noises. I popped out of the coop to see what was up and saw no less then 6 osprey circling overhead - maybe 50 feet up. The chicks were huddled together in the corner of the pen - obviously freaked. I told my DH that I wanted to cover the run to keep our birds contained and safe and he had laughed at me. Now I know it will be a good choice - I just have to finish the job.
Here's the question - I have both 1" hardware cloth and 2"x4" welded wire - and enough of either to cover the whole top of the run. Should I use the 2"x4" or the 1"? Will the 2"x4" welded be sufficient to keep out osprey or eagles - which are our main predators? I was hoping to use the 1" as a ground cloth to keep out large snakes.
What would you do?
Here's the question - I have both 1" hardware cloth and 2"x4" welded wire - and enough of either to cover the whole top of the run. Should I use the 2"x4" or the 1"? Will the 2"x4" welded be sufficient to keep out osprey or eagles - which are our main predators? I was hoping to use the 1" as a ground cloth to keep out large snakes.
What would you do?