Is this fencing ok to use for the run?

[SassyCatHill]

I have 1"x2" welded wire and something (I'm assuming a raccoon) reached through one of those tiny holes and got ahold of my bantam rooster and literally ripped him piece by piece through the fencing... it was just a horrific sight.
I've since covered the bottom 3 feet of the runs with hardware cloth.
In answer to your question... I would say those holes are way too big... it would keep most chickens in... but not give protection from predators.
Our local co-op has the welded wire and so does our Southern States. If they don't carry it normally they could probably order it for you.

 

[Chirpy]

We used the 2x4 welded wire on our run, six feet high also. I then buried 1" chicken wire about 15 inches deep in an "L" shape with 2 feet of it up the side so that it would be much harder for a raccoon to reach through to paw at my chickens.

I would strongly recommend using hardware cloth wherever possible but we couldn't afford it. Chicken wire is really made to keep chickens in, not predators out. However, used concurrently like I have I feel that it is pretty safe. I guess time will tell...

We have lots of raccoons here and thus far haven't had any known attempts by them to get to my chickens since I put up the fencing. Before the fencing was up we found muddy raccoon tracks literally climbing the wall to get to the window on my hen house! He couldn't get inside thankfully.

Here's a couple of pictures of what we did to give you ideas.

 

[Acre of Blessings]

Wea re also using the 2x4 welded wire and also putting chicken wire on the inside. Also what we are going to do befor putting up the wire is we are going to dig a trinch like ditch about 6 inches wide and then we are going to set the fencing in it, and then we are going to pour some concrete in for a dig proof perimeter.

My advice is, if you can put half or all of your hand through it, you need something else behind it.

 

[CritterHill]

Ok, I'm liking the chicken wire behind the welded wire concept. Will check out the prices on hardware cloth, but since the run is going to be something like 20x10, I suspect the cost will be prohibitive.

 

[Acre of Blessings]

Our run will be about a 16x 20 if not larger. I call Lowes Hardware today and you can get a 150' of 1" chicken wire for about $53. But that in my area. May fluctuate in price according to where you are.

Hope this helps

 

[ChickenCop]

I totally agree that hardware cloth is the way to go...But my run is going to be 40 x 50 x 6ft tall and since i can only get hardware cloth in 3ft heights, it would cost me a FORTUNE to do the entire run with it. I have had good experiences with my chicken wire on my small coops no signs of predators at night and I let my birds free range all day when I am home.

 

[CritterHill]

Well, interesting thing happened today. My neighbor showed up and offered me several spools of welded wire that he was taking to the scrap yard!

So now I've got just under 100 feet of 3 foot tall 3"x2" fencing and several hundred feet of crappy, rusted 3 foot tall 2"x4" fencing...

The rusting stuff I'll probably lay flat on the ground around the perimeter of the run to discourage diggers. I can kick some leaves and dirt over it so you don't see it.

The nicer stuff I will use to enclose the top.

Then buy the 6 foot high 2"x4" with some 3 foot high chicken wire or hardware cloth (depending on what I can afford) to enclose the sides.

 

[catfish]

one more suggestion.
just go around the bottom with barn roof tin, 2foot wide.
closes the bottom to keep coons from reaching in.

 

[swiftfoot]

i have always used plastic wire for my quail coops we have lots of predators hawks/owls/skunks/coyotes/bears/
well you get the point

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