Halloween night, I lost my 8 silkies. My coop was inside an enclosed run made with 1/2 inch hardware cloth and treated lumber (4x4 and 2x4). Hardware cloth was chewed and torn opened, fencing nails still embedded, but hardware cloth torn away from them. Entire run was moved from foundation. We were so very sad to lose our birds but the destruction was shocking. No signs of digging. We are assuming it was several raccoons and are preparing to install electric fence. Any other ideas to prevent future loss??
With that type of destruction, I wouldn't think raccoons unless it's a very small, light coop. They shouldn't be able to move it off the foundation like that unless it's really small. Do you happen to have bears in your area? Bears would have the strength to tear through hardware cloth and move the coop like that.
I am so sorry about your Silkies. I thought my chickens were safe in their chain link kennel reinforced with hardware cloth but my neighbor's elderly lab was able chew through the hardware cloth and bend the chain link on my chicken run and kill two of my chickens. I would suggest reinforcing the hardware cloth on your coop with hog panels. Even if a dog can get through the hardware cloth it is unlikely that one could chew through a hog panel. I would say that the electric fence is also a great idea.
So, hardware cloth isn't good enough? Dogs and raccoons can chew through it? I have always suspected as much so I used hardware cloth backed up with 1x2 welded wire for my coop windows. Thank goodness there aren't any bears around here.
Wow.. That stuff is hard enough to cut through with pliers, let alone your teeth. They must have really wanted those chickens.
Just like anything if there is determination and time nothing is really 'good enough' to stop the determined... Hardware cloth will stop most predators, but like everything it's not 100% fool proof protection and will fail occasionally... Just like the lock on your front door, it will deter many, but not all...
Thanks for the responses, installing electric fence this weekend. No bears in our area, thank goodness. Just really determined raccoons, have set trap but nothing yet.
Welcome! So sorry for your loss. I would also add woven wire on top of hardware cloth, and electric is always good. Try the larger live trap; really big coons won't fit in the medium traps. Good luck getting the culprits! Mary