Is this fencing ok to use for the run?

[CritterHill]

We have possums, raccoons, hawks, and foxes in the area so we need to make the run super secure.

Since we need to cover the top, I was planning on having a 6 foot tall run so we could comfortably walk into it.

The only 6 foot high welded wire fencing I can find has 2 inch by 4 inch openings.

Are the openings in the mesh too big? Any other suggestions? Should we just do a shorter run that you can't walk into? Where did you folks find your fencing?

This was the stuff I found:

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...10551_10001_36193_-1______?rFlag=true&cFlag=1

 

[Crazy4GameCocks]

that would work for your bigger chickens but if u have chicks they will walk right throw it and rats can get in and so can weiaseal and they do kill chickens. I use chickens wire on mine run and frain it out in wood to make it stronger.

 

[Crazy4GameCocks]

 

[ChickenCop]

Im doing the EXACT same setup as the above pic myself!

 

[CritterHill]

Hmm, interesting. Several folks on here told me not to use chicken wire because it can't stand up to raccoons? Do you guys have raccoons in the area?

I was planning on doing something similar with welded wire and wood framing, if only I could find welded wire with small enough holes!

Maybe chicken wire around the bottom edge of the welded wire to keep the littles in...

 

[arwmommy]

I would NEVER use chicken wire. I also think 2" x4" fencing is way too big.......sorry. Check for 1" welded wire. It is much more sturdy and impossible for raccoons, weasels, foxes and dogs to get into.

 

[airmom1c05]

It's expensive, but I'm going back to reinforce my wire like yours with 1/2" opening hardware cloth. I think it's 19 gauge which will be strong enough and small enough to keep out raccoons, minks, rats, and weasels especially since I'm not tearing down the original large opening welded wire.

 

[leghorn dude]

im planning on using similar 2x4 wire however i believe i could get a 36" roll of hardware cloth to go over the bottom 2 ft and then burry the bottom foot to keep critters from digging in and chicks from getting out

 

[antiquebuff]

I like your set up but I would use hardware cloth . Its better to be safe that sorry. Predators can get thru chicken wire. I put up chicken wire first and began reading on this post about all the people that had lost their flocks with chicken wire so I just covered it with hardware cloth. You also need an apron (bury the wire in the ground about 8 to 12 in. out) all the way around the bottom to keep anything from digging in like leghorn dude was talking about in his post.
Your are off to a good start! Have Fun.........

 

[LynneP]

Tractor Supply will have other fencing too- like the kind for pigs. If you use a larger mesh you'll need to reinforce with hardware cloth...the larger gauge will give you punch-protection from bears, but the smaller predators are more likely to be a problem...