Hardware cloth vs chicken wire question

[Garden Gal]

Guys,

Many thanks for all the advice. The info is great and sincerely appreciated! Big dogs are an issue so that will be the driving force in ensuring our chicks stay safe. Have a good one!

 

[chadwick]

I have lost 3 Silkies in the last four nights to a coon. Last night was my last straw. The coon attacked early this morning at 3:30AM. Evidently, the coon got into the coop with the hens. I was able to run outside and deterred the coon; it jumped my 6' ft. fence with ease. Today, I worked my tail off all afternoon, after church. I 'rewired' my coop with 1/4 hardware cloth. I also put a 'radio' next to the coop, with hopes that the music and talking will deter the coon. I also baited a live trap, in the coon's path, with a honeybun. I have got my alarm set at 3:20AM; I am not taking any chances. I am going to buy myself a shotgun tomorrow.

Bottom line:
Hardware cloth is seemingly the only thing that will stop a coon (I will know for sure in the morning). It is worth the money. As the old saying goes, 'You get what you pay for.'

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
Yep!

 

[Lord_Vulcanizer]

well I support the use of 1 inch mesh chicken wire with the addition of a thing we folks down south call electric fence wire. You can usually get a decent roll of wire, bout 1/4 miles worth for less than 20 bucks. Insulators can many time be bought on sale too. They are cheap anyway and most folks wont need a bunch. You can run multiple strands easily from one box, especially no more than what will go around a chicken run. Some boxes will support up to as far as 30 miles and are a resonable investment to protect you livestock...no matter how big or small. I haven't seen anything other than a ticked off female cow go through a hot fence wire. Most dogs wont try it but once or twice they learn fast.

Something to think about.

And yes every livestock owner should have at least one dependable firearm. If zombies come to eat your livestock you'll be glad you have that shotgun...

Wes

 

[Lord_Vulcanizer]

woops double post....sorry

wes