How fast can a raccoon break through hardware cloth?

[HalfPeddler]

I came here to find out if raccoons can get to my chickens through the half inch hardware cloth that we just attached to the coop today. So glad I did, because we used staples! At about 11 under a hazy full moon, my husband and I were out there with a flashlight and power tools, attaching wood battens (scrap wood that we scrounged from his shop). I would not have gotten any sleep with the vision of raccoons pulling hardware cloth off of the coop and getting my babies! We have them on the trail cam trying to get into the previous coop but so far they have been unsuccessful. This is the third night in the brand new large coop, so thanks for helping us get some peace of mind.

 

[Folly's place]

I used hardware cloth, attached to the 4"x6" framing, with fence staples. Over that, 2"x4" woven wire 4' high, with fence staples. Over that, 1"x4" boards, screwed into the framing. I think it will stop big dogs too, just not bears.
Mary

 

[centrarchid]

I came here to find out if raccoons can get to my chickens through the half inch hardware cloth that we just attached to the coop today. So glad I did, because we used staples! At about 11 under a hazy full moon, my husband and I were out there with a flashlight and power tools, attaching wood battens (scrap wood that we scrounged from his shop). I would not have gotten any sleep with the vision of raccoons pulling hardware cloth off of the coop and getting my babies! We have them on the trail cam trying to get into the previous coop but so far they have been unsuccessful. This is the third night in the brand new large coop, so thanks for helping us get some peace of mind.

A single layer of typical hardware cloth they can get through but I am pretty sure it hurts to do do.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

A large and motivated coon can rip apart a live trap. Given time and opportunity a coon can also defeat hardware cloth.

 

[llombardo]

I went right to bilting the stuff down...

Don't know if you can see in this picture--there is

A single layer of typical hardware cloth they can get through but I am pretty sure it hurts to do do.

That is why I put a double layer on the actual coop. I don't trust their strength.

 

[123RedBeard]

Also be aware that "hardware cloth" comes in different "gauges" ... this means how thick (and strong) the wire is ... the smaller the numbered gauge, the thicker the wire!

Hardware cloth also comes in a different woven mesh size, while 1/2" squares are normal, they do make smaller, but usually you can not find as thick of wires in the smaller mesh ...

Try to get 19 gauge or thicker.

And yes, a board SCREWED down over the wire will be best.

 

[Doc7]

Raccoons, like any other predator, don't want to work TOO hard for dinner. I used the U shaped nails, they are called poultry clips, to fasten the hardware cloth to our run. If it's just stapled, it may be too easy for a coon to just pull off. We never had problems with our rabbits when I was a child, and we haven't had problems with the chickens so far, fingers crossed!

“just stapled”? I stapled mine and they are 1 1/2” long staples, a 200 lb man did a pull up hanging on my hardware cloth.

 

[Doc7]

I came here to find out if raccoons can get to my chickens through the half inch hardware cloth that we just attached to the coop today. So glad I did, because we used staples! At about 11 under a hazy full moon, my husband and I were out there with a flashlight and power tools, attaching wood battens (scrap wood that we scrounged from his shop). I would not have gotten any sleep with the vision of raccoons pulling hardware cloth off of the coop and getting my babies! We have them on the trail cam trying to get into the previous coop but so far they have been unsuccessful. This is the third night in the brand new large coop, so thanks for helping us get some peace of mind.

What kind of staples did you use?

A coon is not ripping these out. They are far stronger than the hardware cloth itself is, and embedded quite strongly into the wood.

 

[aart]

What ever you use to fasten make sure fastener is a few squares from edge.
Pneumatically driven staples can actually weaken or break the wire, adjust your pressure accordingly.