Help, I need the Marjority oppinion....

[chick818]

My husband and I are debating over the type of chicken wire needed for our coop. We have been back and forth and then he went out and purchased some basic chicken wire (with some hardware cloth for the bottom) I have started a small argument over wether or not to use the basic chicken wire due to the size of the chicken wire holes. I have read that although small enough that chickens can not escape, they may be large enough for rats, small birds, and/or raccoons to reach in to and grab at them. What does everyone suggest. I will attach a picture so that you can get an idea of where the wire needs to go.

I should mention we live on a 1/2 acre in Western Suffolk Long Island. (about 1 hour from NYC) The predators we have here are Racoons, Hawks, opossum and Pests suchs as Squirrels, birds and Rats (on occassion).

Thank you all for being our mediator.... Don't worry no boxing gloves just yet lol...

The roofing tiles still need to be cut, but this is the work in progress....

 

[Barnyard]

I would go with hardware cloth!! chicken wire just isn't sturdy enough for me.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Based on the look of your backyard, you are probably in the city or very near one, and thus less predator prone than our "sticks" dwelling folks. If in fact this is true, regular poultry wire (netting) should be just fine.

I have regular poultry netting on all of my coops, I live in the city, and I've been fine. Never have had a problem...

 

[emilyweck]

Quote:
I agree with this. It's not much more money and you'll sleep better at night. My husband and I had the exact same debate. I live in the City and the first night my chickens were out, I had raccoon tracks all around my coop/run. I used hardware cloth and they weren't touched. If they happen to get through the chicken wire, they're all going to be wiped out.

 

[Slywoody]

Go with the hardware cloth. Better safe than sorry. Good Luck.

 

[mwdh1]

Quote:
I agree with Chris, but would still use the hardware cloth around the bottom 2 feet or so

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

I guess I should point out that the floors of my coops are solid plywood that I keep shavings on top of, so predators can't pull on the feet.

 

[al6517]

If cost is a non issue go with hardware cloth, from the looks of it you shouldn't need much either. It looks as though your in a semi-urban area and critters should not be a problem.

AL

 

[Ridgerunner]

If you do live in a suburban area, you might check with animal control to see what you do have in your area. I think you'll find most suburban areas have raccoons, possums, weasels, and rats.

Not knowing your exact circumstances, I'd go with the hardware cloth. It is more expensive but it is added insurance.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

If you search through old threads on the forum, there are plenty of stories of both dogs and raccoons tearing through chicken wire, to kill chickens. A couple of people even posted pictures of the wire after the attack.

Even the more urban settings have dogs and raccoons. I would vote for the hardware cloth.