Hardware cloth to block mice

[Justso]

I have 1/2” HC and I have only noticed a tiny black snake weaving in and out through it. Open doors/pop doors are an invitation to larger varmints, but they usually aren’t out roaming during the day when they are open. Except for a dang rattlesnake last year! Yeah, he slithered right on in through the door of my coop that is built on the ground. No foundation like my other one. Even though my chickens love that dirt floor, I would rethink that type flooring if doing it again.

Look for all the spots the HC joins. If there is any gap at all in the connection, anything is game. Nice, rats, snakes and more.

I'm always so envious of you people in the south, with your early hatching and grass growing in February, and then you remind me about the rattlesnakes and I'm happy to take the snow.

 

[Mimi13]

I'm always so envious of you people in the south, with your early hatching and grass growing in February, and then you remind me about the rattlesnakes and I'm happy to take the snow.

Yeah, tell me about it. First time in 14 years I’ve seen a poisonous snake on my property. It was alarming to say the least.

 

[Mimi13]

I enjoyed your entire post. I'm kind of surprised your chickens didn't try to eat that black snake. probably didn't see it. Mine love to catch and eat frogs and small snakes among other creepy crawlies. If I toss them a mouse I catch in a snap trap they'll eat it but they often don't go after a live mouse. Unless they are in the open those mice are really quick.

I once found a possum in my coop late afternoon, pretty much at dusk. Came in through the pop door. I've found a few black snakes in there too, sometimes in the morning but also during the day. A snake often tries to get back out the way it came in. That can help you find weak spots if you surprise them more than they surprise you. While predators are more of a risk at night that's not because they are not out as much. Many like bobcat, fox, coyote, dogs, and snakes are out a lot during the day and I've trapped a raccoon right at lunchtime. Human activity tends to keep them away during the day but I've even seen a possum eating at my compost pile in the middle of a bright day. I'll admit that one really surprised me.

Snakes can climb really well. A few times when I go down there at might I've seen a pretty big black snake clinging to the outside wall of the coop, practically to the roof, I think looking for a way in. I would not expect elevating a coop to provide that much protection, not after seeing that.

You are right about a snake. They can stretch themselves straight up like a 3’ stick. It’s amazing.

I also should have elaborated on the vast number of critters that like to dine on chickens throughout the day, not just at night. I’m thankful that I am able to be outside, if not all day, most of the day, in and out for sure. That, along with the help of both my guard dogs, most critters stay away...day and night. I realize I’ve been very fortunate.