Hardware cloth versus welded wire.

[BesideStillWaters]

No, with wire gauge the higher the number the SMALLER the wire. 16 gauge wire is thicker and therefore stronger than 19 gauge. I've got 16 gauge wire covering the windows and vents in my coop, and that stuff is heavy. I can still remember how much my hand hurt from making all those cuts with wire cutters.

I have 18 gauge wire on my chicken run and it's plenty strong for keeping out raccoons.

Two other factors are important besides wire gauge. You've zeroed in on the spacing between the wires: if a raccoon can manage to put its grabby paws between the wires it can pull pieces of your poor chicken out, bit by bit. Rats and snakes and wild birds can also get into your run if the spacing between wires is large enough. For these reasons, I use wire with 1/2 by 1/2 spacing. Anything small enough to get through that opening is going to have to worry about being eaten by the chickens.

The other factor is how the wire is fastened to the frame. If you use staples, that will be a weak point. I used screws and metal washers. I still inspect the wire regularly for rusting and the frame for loosening screws and rot.

Thanks for this!

We really like the 16 gauge and I think we might use it on the whole yard. Glad the 18 gauge is working!

I wouldn't want a raccoon to pull them out bit by bit, yikes!

I used screws and washers when I attached the chicken wire, but the washers are already rusting out after a year. What kind of washers did you get? Mine must not have been weather-proof.

 

[BesideStillWaters]

you might want to look into getting an inexpensive .22. it will help reduce the predator population.

I've actually considered this, especially for emergency use if it came down to either me losing a chicken or the raccoon being dead. I'm not sure I can fire it. Not only because I don't like killing things, but my joints can nearly dislocate and the drill gun I'm using will almost snap my wrist out of joint. I'm afraid a gun would dislocate it.

That being said, there were two raccoons here a couple of nights ago, and I have also considered asking around to see if someone could... take care of them. I wish there was a way to deter them instead of exterminating them.

 

[BesideStillWaters]

i prefer 1/4 " hardware cloth..and i have had a momma coon come in the house during the day and take her choice of those laying their egg for the day..now the dog patrols..

Oh no, I'm sorry.

 

[BesideStillWaters]

If you really want to put a stop to all of it, the electric fence works, I have two wires up around my coop and run, one wire about 4” off of the ground the other at about a foot. I know it is a pain to get electricity to your pen but it will let you sleep better at night. Get everything you need at TSC cheap and easy. The hardest part driving the brass rod into the ground. Even the squirrels stay away.

If I can find it, I used to have one to keep a very stubborn dog in the fence. We took it down once the dog passed away. I also still have a spool of electric fence wire...

 

[BesideStillWaters]

I use 1/4 " hardware cloth also .
We attached it with screws and fender washers.

That looks really sturdy!

 

[BesideStillWaters]

Only if you use it right. I know someone who tried to shoot a predator, and hit one of their own animals by mistake.

Oh no, that's awful.

 

[BesideStillWaters]

We've used zip ties for the past 2 years to hold our smaller wire to our 2x4 wire, wire cage clips would be better as it would last longer but the zip ties has worked great for us. We have a humane trap in the garden just outside the chicken pen hoping to catch a coon before it finds our chicks in the brooder shed but so far we had 3 chickens get into the garden & caught in the trap. Inside our brooder shed we just had 2 snakes get in but were disposed of being we put any chicks inside.

That's great!

Oh wow, glad you found the snakes! So far, we haven't seen any snakes. Yet.

 

[BesideStillWaters]

I’m sorry you are having predator problems but have to say, those raccoon photos are priceless! I teach a class on raising chickens, would it be okay with you if I show these pics when I talk about predator-proofing your run?
Obviously, you have entry gaps to plug, but once you have that taken care of, we’ve protected from raccoons or anything else that would reach through into the coop by having a tarp around the roost area. It has grommet holes in the edges where we use plastic zip ties top and bottom so the tarp is secured. Good luck!

Photography is one of my hobbies and this racoon is reeeeeally getting to me but I couldn't let the opportunity pass without getting a shot, haha. Met him again last night, this time no wire between us.

 

[BesideStillWaters]

Wire mesh placed around the perimeter of the run to exclude/discourage diggers: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481100

Ooooooooohhhhh I see! (By the way, your run looks NICE. )

 

[SugarandPepper]

I've actually considered this, especially for emergency use if it came down to either me losing a chicken or the raccoon being dead. I'm not sure I can fire it. Not only because I don't like killing things, but my joints can nearly dislocate and the drill gun I'm using will almost snap my wrist out of joint. I'm afraid a gun would dislocate it.

That being said, there were two raccoons here a couple of nights ago, and I have also considered asking around to see if someone could... take care of them. I wish there was a way to deter them instead of exterminating them.

There is a better way, predator-proof your coop. Just like you are asking here about. There are so many risks that come along with using the .22 approach, even here in the thread someone mentioned someone accidentally shooting one of their own animals. And it doesn’t solve the problem, their little raccoon cousins will be here a week from now. Poison and killing are the worst answers when there is a much more permanent solution. Just proof your coop and they’ll get dinner someplace else.