KEEP OUT PREDATORS!!!!

[chickenman101]

is chicken wire safe enough to protect my flock from predators or should i try something else? i have a crap load of chicken wire and i need to use it but not if its not safe. is there another way to reinforce the chicken wire? maybe double up on it?

 

[TXmom]

I have read time and time again on these posts that chicken wire is not going to keep out predators. I already have chicken wire, like you, so I'm using it and putting 2 strands of hot wire around the whole coop/run to keep out dogs, coyotes, raccoons, etc. I hope it's enough!

You can reinforce it using welded wire or hardware cloth, but then really you just need the hardware cloth and not the chicken wire...Good Luck!

 

[miss_thenorth]

Chicken wire is to keep chickens in--it does not keep predators out. If you must use it for predator protection--I would recommend electric wire to run around the bottom and top of the pen.

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

Chicken wire basicly keeps chickens in. Predators can get thru it with ease. 2x4 welded wire works much better. It is alot stronger. But if you do use it I recomend a hot wire around it.

 

[chickenman101]

:yiipchick10-4

 

[G Wiz Ranch]

I would hate to stir anything up, I am not trying to say it hasn't happen, I am just curious about the details. So please don't get made at me for asking

, but has anyone "PERSONALLY" experienced a predator destroying the chicken wire? I would be curious to know what predator did it. I can see if someone just stapled the wire that an animal could push their way through, I just can't picture a fox, coyote, raccoon, opossum or small dog, tearing up the wire itself. Maybe if the wire was loose or not supported on all 4 sides, or spaced out without support, but can an average predator actual, tear apart the wire?

 

[WoodlandWoman]

G Wiz Ranch, if you do a search through the messages in this section over the last 2 years, you'll find postings by members that had dogs and raccoons go through the chicken wire on their pens. Quite a few of them, actually. I know at least a couple posted pictures. Dogs are the most common, since they're out and about during the day, when chickens aren't locked in the coop.

Edited to add that I meant they posted pictures of the torn wire, not that they posted pictures of the carnage.

 

[HappyHatch'en]

I'm anticipating the worse, so I came up with some Free chain link fencing....Make a 2 x 4 PT Frame, stretching chain link to it using galv.fence staples...on the inside of the run I will add a roll of 1/2" sq. welded wire 24" high from the bottom...wire it to chain link....plus a tight roof....I don't like electricity - shocking hurts. Here is my unfinished project.

Happy Hatch'en folks

 

[miss_thenorth]

Quote:
My 10 lb cat, who is a barn cat, tore through the wire in the coop this past winter. I'm not sure if the cat wanted the chickens water--b/c it is heated, or if there was a mouse/rat in the chicken part of the barn, but the cat tore through it. So, if a cat (a small cat-no less) can tear through, then certainly a fox/raccoon etc could do alot more damage.

 

[Orpingtonman]

Quote:
Mine WAS wrapped completely in chicken wire with 2x4's screwed on every edge to seal the ends. I lost 2 layers to a coon that chewed his way through. I made it as Predator proof as possible before this. Now i have welded wire around the bottom and top with a hot wire. Chicken wire WILL NOT keepa predator out if its determined enough.