Height of hardware cloth?

[Uniqueusername]

Again, Thnx for your advice. I live in MS. The primary predators (besides the winged ones) are coyote, fox, raccoon, and the neighbor’s dogs. Looks like a total hardware cloth wrap is my best option.

 

[NatJ]

You could use welded wire fencing (bigger holes than hardware cloth, but also stronger than hardware cloth because it is made from thicker, stronger wire.)

Then put hardware cloth over the welded wire for the bottom few feet. That will keep baby chicks from walking out, adult chickens from sticking their heads out, and raccoons/cats from sticking their paws in to grab chickens that are on the ground.

This combination will not keep rats, snakes, or anything else small from climbing up the hardware cloth and then going through the welded wire part. Baby raccoons might be able to get in too, depending on the size holes in the welded wire fencing.

Welded wire with 2 x 4 inch holes is often BETTER than hardware cloth if you are dealing with big dogs, because the individual wires are so much stronger.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Optimally, its 4' of hardware cloth, then either solid surface or ... more hardware cloth.

Ultimately, it depends on your local predators. Some can climb really well, and either complete enclosure with hardware cloth(or greater) or a sufficiently electrified fence are your two reliable options. In other places, 4' is adequate, and you can use lesser materials - poultry netting/chicken wire, etc on the upper portion of the run, or even nothing at all in the case of electrified fencing with no significant avian predators and no overhanging tree branches, etc.

Unless you have big predators like bear, in which case hardware cloth isn't a speed bump.
Don't ignore any likely digging predators, either as you consider your containment/exclusion method.

If there were a one size fits all solution... ...well, lets just accept that there isn't.

Secure the hardware cloth with either screws and washers (preferred) or poultry staples, well and frequently placed.

 

[Fontaine]

We just finished predator proofing our new coop. To prevent animals from digging under your coop( if your coop sits on open ground) running an apron of hardware cloth around the base of the coop helps .We went out 2 feet with the cloth then buried it with sand/dirt. ( we don’t have sod which would be even better).

 

[perkolator]

I considered doing only partial HC on the lower section of all my walls, but ended up just spending the extra $100 and went all the way up and then some - not for preventing predators, but to prevent mice/rats/other rodents...to keep the snakes away

 

[Rldad1]

I am currently building my coop and I am making it as secure as possible. I have my run covered and am in the process of putting HC from ground to top because I don't like to lose an animal.

 

[aart]

I am currently building my coop

Do you have a build thread?

 

[Rldad1]

Do you have a build thread?

Not yet, I figured I would do it after I finished since I only get to work a few days a week.

 

[aart]

Not yet, I figured I would do it after I finished since I only get to work a few days a week.

That doesn't matter...many have taken months to build.

 

[Rldad1]

That doesn't matter...many have taken months to build.

Aart, see my thread Patriot Chicken build.