Huge Chicken Coop

[MrPepers]

Hardware cloth is denser and can be supported more evenly .... but its weakest link too is at least sixteen gauge which is .068 in diameter... Harder to slam into and stretch out... harder to get teeth into...

Most readily available hardware cloth is 19-20 gauge. If 16 gauge hardware cloth was used, then yes that would be a lot better against predators. Where did you find 16 gauge hardware cloth? It sounds very good.

 

[BYCforlife]

I have never had raccoon, fox, or any ground predator problems. I hear skunks eat chickens, but there is one living under my chicken coop and it is fine. I need to fill the hole this winter.

 

[Leighe]

Oh,
Don't they die when they get zapped?

They actually have electrified portable fencing for chickens.....

 

[DuckPro]

No, my friend has 300 broilers a year, fenced with electric fence mesh. None of her chickens die from that.

Oh, okay.
I guess it's a little shock. Not enough to KILL

 

[DuckPro]

They actually have electrified portable fencing for chickens.....

What does that do?

 

[BYCforlife]

Oh, okay.
I guess it's a little shock. Not enough to KILL

Yup. Just don't use the wires straight from an electrical outlet, that would probably de-feather your chickens when touched.

 

[DuckPro]

Yup. Just don't use the wires straight from an electrical outlet, that would probably de-feather your chickens when touched.

 

[BYCforlife]

What does that do?

It's pretty much electrified chicken wire.

 

[DuckPro]

It's pretty much electrified chicken wire.

Oh, thanks

 

[Leighe]

Most readily available hardware cloth is 19-20 gauge. If 16 gauge hardware cloth was used, then yes that would be a lot better against predators. Where did you find 16 gauge hardware cloth? It sounds very good.

It's sold all over the internet. I get 100 foot, 4 ft high, rolls from my local metal shop (where we buy cattle panels and poles for welding). Mine are 14 or 16 gauge. I'd have to go look. I didn't even know there was 19-20 gauge until you said this and I went and looked online and there's even 23 gauge. Not sure what people use that stuff for.