Help needed

[cindyloowhoo]

Hi all. So the coop is just about done and it’s very secure and predator proof. I’ve also laid down hardware cloth inder coop and in entire run area and when run done that too will be secure. Well so I thought.....most people I know around here with chickens have used chicken wire for the run areas all around and on top with success. However just today I read that chicken wire isnt good for the run area! My main predator would be skunks but I’m obviously concerned with anything. I’m usually around and will be putting solar motion lights around but when we’re away I’m really concerned. Actually concerned for any time. When not free ranging the run area is fairly large and it’s a whole lot of hardware cloth! Appreciate any feedback and what most of you have used. Thanks

 

[Srod79]

Hi all. So the coop is just about done and it’s very secure and predator proof. I’ve also laid down hardware cloth inder coop and in entire run area and when run done that too will be secure. Well so I thought.....most people I know around here with chickens have used chicken wire for the run areas all around and on top with success. However just today I read that chicken wire isnt good for the run area! My main predator would be skunks but I’m obviously concerned with anything. I’m usually around and will be putting solar motion lights around but when we’re away I’m really concerned. Actually concerned for any time. When not free ranging the run area is fairly large and it’s a whole lot of hardware cloth! Appreciate any feedback and what most of you have used. Thanks

Ours will be hardware cloth, we just shopped around for the best deal.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

If you have skunks, you most likely have raccoons since they actually inhabit the majority of N. America which would be more detrimental. But, skunks can still do damage.
Chicken wire is to keep chickens in, but not meant to keep predators out.
I know some still use chicken wire regardless of the recommendations. How big is the run?
I actually have welded wire around cattle panel with an electric wire around the perimeter - so I am taking a risk, but at night all of my poultry are in a secure and predator proof coop. How is your coop set up?

 

[SAMnELLA]

When our chickens are out, we are too, usually. Our main predator would be hawks so we listen for them. At night the chickens are in a safe coop mostly made with hardware cloth. When we first built the coop it was all chicken wire, and we actually had a hawk try to grab a chicken right through the wire ! She was bleeding on her head but was ok. So we used hardware cloth after that and put some metal panels part of the way up also. Oh, we also had a snake problem so we put bricks, and logs all around the bottom because it has a dirt floor. We aren't sure how the snake got in, but it hasn't happened any more. Another thing we did was sprinkle that snake-away stuff around the outside.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

When our chickens are out, we are too, usually. Our main predator would be hawks so we listen for them. At night the chickens are in a safe coop mostly made with hardware cloth.

I was out one day working in the yard letting the chickens get some free ranging time, a hawk swooped in and circled my chickens eye balling them - we hadn't been out there 20 min. I don't think they always make a noise.

 

[TwistedSteel]

My run is wrapped in chicken wire, has been for over 5 years now. Never had a break in but did lose a hen one night when I didn`t get home to close the run doors. Have lost a few who ranged too far out in mine or the neighbors field. We have no shortage of skunks, possems, coons, coyotes, hawks and owls. Just don`t feel the need to spend the money hardware cloth would set me back.

 

[pennyJo1960]

alright doing the same as @Soon2BChixMom in mine 2 inch field wire all around the property chicken wire added to the field wire chicken yard has 3 layers but one is above, bought a net aviary netting 50 x 50 for aerial have not gotten out f the box it came in

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

alright doing the same as @Soon2BChixMom in mine 2 inch field wire all around the property chicken wire added to the field wire chicken yard has 3 layers but one is above, bought a net aviary netting 50 x 50 for aerial have not gotten out f the box it came in

I did put up the aviary netting. What a pain that was.

 

[lazy gardener]

My run is 500 s.f. No way could I afford 6' high hdw. cloth plus skirt for that! So, I've done what I could afford. During summer months, run is covered with bird netting. But that comes down in snow season, and they are confined to a much smaller portion of the run which is covered with 2 x 4 welded wire and green house tarp. I have never lost a bird in the run when it's been covered.

Sometimes finances and risk assessment dictate what we do. If predators with my chicken wire become an issue, I will run hot wire around the coop and run.

Birds are locked in pred proof coop every night without fail.

 

[featherhead007]

What is wrong with my hen? She's getting dark in the face, Please advise.