hardware cloth vs poultry netting

[AinaWGSD]

Obviously, hardware cloth is the gold standard and if I could afford it I would cover my entire run with 1/2" hardware cloth. But it's expensive and I'm poor, so we are looking at more economical options. Right now the plan is to cover the majority of the run with 2x4 welded wire fencing and cover the bottom few feet with something smaller. So what I am wondering is, do you think I could get by with chicken wire over welded wire at the bottom of the run? We live in town and while I know there are 'possums and 'coons in the neighborhood (I've seen both at night) I have not seen a live one during the day in my particular neighborhood (a few neighborhoods over I did see a momma 'possum and her babies around 10am) and I do have two large dogs that I'm hoping will help to deter predators in my back yard. At night the chickens would be shut in a secure coop, it's just during the day when we're all at work that they'd be in the run with no one near by in case of predators.

 

[HathawayHens]

well... there's one way to find out, I guess...

 

[Jx2inNC]

If you don't have much of a choice, maybe you could overlap 2x4 welded wire (makeshift smaller holes) and then do chicken wire on the inside for the bottom X number of feet?

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
It's not THAT bad, security-wise. It will keep the chickens' heads in where they belong; and it will slow down raccoons reaching in. While hardwarecloth would be better, I am unconvinced it's LOTS AND LOTS better.

If you are prompt in locking the chickens into the coop around dusk, I do not personally think it's an unreasonable risk.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat