Looking for a definitive answer, 1/2" x 1/2" welded wire mesh vs. 1/2" x 1" welded wire mesh

[mkeys5000]

We just got our first three birds, and I am in the process of gathering the raw materials to build their coop (based off the coop from http://thegardencoop.com).

In my experience visiting many coops on the local coop tour, I have found a couple things to be true:

1) Black coated wire mesh seems to obstruct my vision into a coop less than uncoated galvanized wire mesh.
2) The smaller the hole, the more my view is obstructed into the coop/run.

Obviously security has to be one of my main concerns or I wouldn't have a fence at all. However I do want to choose a fence that allows me to fully appreciate watching the birds as much as possible.

1/2" x 1/2" is recommended all over BYC for its good security. I would rather install 1/2" x 1" as I feel that it would be less offensive to look through.

What predators can fit through 1/2" x 1" that cannot fit through 1/2" x 1/2"? Given the small size of this hole, if any predator could get in, would it be able to pose and threat to an adult hen?

for reference the wire mesh I am looking at is 16 gauge, galvanized after welded, seen here: http://www.louispage.com/welded-wire-mesh/vinyl-coated/vinyl-coated-16-gauge/

Thank you in advance for participating in this question, here is a picture of my girls just for fun:

 

[gryeyes]

Go with the smaller mesh, really.

Raccoons can reach their paws in through the 1 inch holes, grab chickens, and either pull their heads off through the wire or seriously slash and maim their victims.

Chickens don't possess the intellect to run to the middle of an area out of the reach of danger - they run to corners. Raccoons often work in pairs or with others to scare chickens into corners and then one of 'em will grab the chicken(s). It aint pretty.

 

[sherylreno]

&

Just what Gryeyes said. I have a friend who lost a rooster piece by piece from raccoons reaching into 1" wire. Don't get the vinyl coated wire though. I have the 1/2" wielded wire and I can see my chickens just fine. Are you going to let them roam around during the day?

 

[aart]

Good question on the 1/2" x 1". I have been thinking 1/2" x 1/2" to keep all rodents, especially weasels, at bay. I wonder if the 1/2" x 1" would do as well?
The Loius Page site has a great selection! Have you gotten a quote, what's the shipping look like?

 

[mkeys5000]

Quote:
Quote:
Are we talking about 1" x 1" wire? or the 1" x 1/2" wire? It seems to me that a raccoon could definitely fit is paw through a 1" x 1" hole as you mentioned. 1" x 1/2" is half the size of that, and a skinny rectangle instead of a square.



Quote:
I have requested a quote on 50' and 100' rolls of 1/2" x 1/2" and 1" x 1/2" black vinyl coated wire, plus shipping to Raleigh, NC.

I havent heard back yet, but I just emailed this after midnight last night so that is expected

 

[mkeys5000]

I have been looking around trying to find evidence of a raccoon's paw reaching through such a small hole. This is as close as I have come:




However it would appear from this photo that the raccoon would not have been able to reach through had there not been such a large vertical gap. Also this raccoon had to be rescued by humans:

Are there any documented cases of a predator getting to a chicken through 1" x 1/2" (not 1" x 1")?

 

[cknkids]

We went with the 1/2" x 1/2"... My gut is a raccoon could get there "hand" through the 1" x 1/2". I have a friend that had a chicken pulled apart through chicken wire, a hand is flat so I would trust the 1" x 1/2". We found the1/2" x 1/2" hardware cloth on Amazon after seeing someone else suggest it here. Good luck, I know how stressful planning your coop can be.

 

[Jakoda]

I am snake paranoid, so went with 1/2 x1/2 wire mesh, I don't want to find anything in my chicken run or coop other than my chickens

 

[ReikiStar]

Go with the smaller mesh, really.

Raccoons can reach their paws in through the 1 inch holes, grab chickens, and either pull their heads off through the wire or seriously slash and maim their victims.

Chickens don't possess the intellect to run to the middle of an area out of the reach of danger - they run to corners. Raccoons often work in pairs or with others to scare chickens into corners and then one of 'em will grab the chicken(s). It aint pretty.

x's 2 Raccoon and opossums can get their hands thru 1" X 1/2". Absolutely. I've heard of such a story of 'coons working in pairs. The owner witnessed it because they wanted to see how racoons were killing their chickens. One raccoon scared the chickens and as they flew up in their startle, the raccoon perched on top of the run would grab it, pull it's head through the wire...bye bye chicken.

It's understandable about wanting to see your chickens, but safety first and foremost, otherwise you'll be seeing parts of chickens or no chickens at all eventually.

 

[mkeys5000]

What a bummer. I really wanted to be able to go with 1" x 1/2". I guess I will start pricing out 1/2" x 1/2" (Louis Page that I checked earlier seemed too high)

Thank you everyone for participating.