Hardware cloth and predators

[cwhiteside]

I recently built a coop for our 4 ducks (Pekin) from 1/2" Hardware cloth. It is very secure, but this morning, one of the ducks was dead. It was between the water bucket and the outside wall of the coop. Something had clearly eaten a bit of the breast. I am going to add electric fence to it today, but I was stunned that something had gotten to the duck through the hardware cloth. We have hawks, owls, raccoons, foxes, bobcat and panthers. The hardware cloth did not appear to be damaged at all.

Any ideas what it could have been? My assumption would be a raccoon, but I just don't see how it could have gotten the duck through the hardware cloth. Any tips on putting the electric. I plan to put it as low as possible, up to about 4 feet.


Please help us protect our ducks!

 

[cwhiteside]

So I found in a search on another thread that raccoons can reach through the hardware cloth. Looks like I either need to add another layer on the inside as a buffer or go with the electric. I am definitely doing the electric, because it is a quick and easy solution (I already have an electric fence, and I may go with a layer of 1/4" hardware cloth on the inside....just in case.

 

[sarasweatman]

We have the 1/4". I am surprised that it could grab it through!

 

[OhioClucker]

I just bought the 1/4" because of an attack on my chickens!! We have set a live trap twice now but it keeps getting out. :/

 

[thomasboyle]

My pen is made with 2x3 construction, and I have field fencing on the outside to keep out larger predators, and hardware wire on the inside. Double up the hardware wire to stop anything from reaching through.