Is 1"x1" Poultry Netting a good defense as a run topper

[Chicksdigit]

I have read how raccoons can get through Chicken Wire easily but does anyone think it would protect the chickies from Raccoons as a top for the run? will it keep them out if it is only on the top? My new coop is going to be an open air coop with a good sized run under trees with plenty of shade.

 

[jvls1942]

what are y ou going to use for the walls/fence ??

how do you plan on stretching chicken wire across the top with trees sticking up all over?

 

[jqs birds]

If you wrap all your corners with flashing the coons will not have a place that they can climb up and into you coop.

 

[Chicksdigit]

Trees are not inside the run just above and around it. I am curious if Chicken wire is Raccoon proof on top of the run.........not on the sides

 

[Chicksdigit]

Quote:
Couldn't they just climb up the wire on the side?

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
Couldn't they just climb up the wire on the side?

I would say they could..

chicken wire over the top will slow a coon down.. stop him completely? I doubt it.. I had a coon bend the wire in a trap that I had to use two pairs of pliers to bend it back..

It depends on how intently the coon is trying to get in, I guess..

 

[wombat]

I've got hardware cloth ( 1/2" sq wire mesh) for the top of my run, much harder to tear than chicken wire. I've not found it in wider/taller than 48" recently, so that may be an issue depending on your run.

We have a long, thin run, and put horizontal 2"x2" between the tops of our vertical posts, and then strectched the HW cloth between. We stiched each panel to the next with wire.

It does tend to collect stray leaves, but otherwise works well. You might also need to brush it off if you get wet, sticky snow where you live, as this can cling to it and accumulate moreso than with a 1"x2" wire.

 

[patandchickens]

Raccoons can climb anybody's run fence. You'd have to extensively flash the whole thing all the way round, not just the corner posts!

And yes, they will go thru chickenwire on top of the run. Possibly immediately, as raccoons are rather heavy

If you want actual security, esp. at nighttime, I'd reallly suggest something sturdier like 2x4" welded wire in a heavy gauge. Make sure the whole top is well enough supported (rafter-wise, or other workable arrangement) because snow gets HEAVY, and yes it does build up on net or mesh.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Chicksdigit]

Quote:
Thanks Pat, I am sure there are some others that will read this and be concerned with snow but I'm in Texas and have never seen snow here. but the 2"X4" Welded wire Idea works for me, and yes it will need some rafters Just in case a tree limb falls or something.

 

[They Call Me Pete]

I am installing a top on my run but going one step further by putting one wire from electric fence around the top in case they get past the lower two. Read my post in predators under" I got cleaned out to find out" to see why.