Moving to Maine; What do I need to know

[Compost King]

Maine has very heavy snow, the sloped roofs was the best advice I saw. If I lived in that climate I would build steep A Frames. Not sure if you have to go as far as I would on that but my 2 cents worth is build something that sheds snow easily and when it can't shed it all at least make it structurally sound enough to hold the weight of deep wet snow.

 

[Folly's place]

A-frames limit interior space too much per square foot of floor space, rather build a shed or standard structure, or a Woods coop. Definitely needs a sloping roof and good framing!
Mary

 

[Ted Brown]

...
So, shall I assume hardware cloth isn't strong enough and do hog wire panels reinforced with hardware cloth?

Also, here in LA I have a bare earth (clay) floor for my run with the hardware cloth dug in 12". Is there a better strategy for a really cold climate?

1/2" by 1/2" HC will deter all but bear or a pack of dogs. The option to wire panels is HOT electrical fence. I have read this will deter bears, not sure about a pack on the hunt? Do a cost comparison, guessing electrical fence wins.

I use aprons horizontally on the ground and going out at least 12"-16". I believe that this is the more common approach rather than vertically into the ground.

 

[Folly's place]

Ours has 2"x 4" woven wire over the lower 4' of the run area, in addition to the hardware cloth, all attached with fence staples, and then 1"x 4" boards screwed in on top.
Good to keep out big dogs, but only electric for bears.
Mary

 

[IamRainey]

1/2" by 1/2" HC will deter all but bear or a pack of dogs. The option to wire panels is HOT electrical fence. I have read this will deter bears, not

Not sure if auto correct confused things. An electric fence is not something I would go to easily. I'm kinda afraid of electricity since I've had some bad shocks.

I was asking if heavy hog (h-o-g) wire would keep bears out. Of course, hog wire is pretty widely spaced so I'd use it in conjunction with hardware cloth.

When I build for my chickens I build Ft. Knox once and avoid the trauma of break-ins and killed and mauled birds.

 

[aart]

I was asking if heavy hog (h-o-g) wire would keep bears out. Of course, hog wire is pretty widely spaced so I'd use it in conjunction with hardware cloth.

Hog wire(barbed) or hog panels or.....?
Probably no tho.

Hot wire is the only thing that will keep bears at bay.
Hot wire can be pretty safe, it's not a constant voltage that will hold on and kill you.
This might help you learn about it:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/a-treatise-on-electric-fences-for-poultry.72229/

 

[Folly's place]

Watch some videos of what motivated bears can do!
Rip doors off cars.
Tear through house siding.
Demolish most metal containers.
All amazing, nothing to trifle with.
Mary

 

[Ted Brown]

Probably worth saying that one needs to be remote to have to worry about bears in my limited experience. In my area we have and see black bears but they seem to stay away from locations with multiple houses (I am on a lake). Of course, leaving attractive garbage around attracts all sorts of critters.

 

[IamRainey]

Of course, leaving attractive garbage around attracts all sorts of critters.

Amen to that! When I lived in Vancouver (rented house; no garage) we were in a residential neighborhood. Plenty of homes on 1/2 acre lots but wonderfully wooded too. Raccoons and bears were a constant threat to the garbage.

Likewise in Mammoth Lakes, CA. Tons of development and activity at the foot of the mountains but so long as there was trash -- in heavy lidded cans; cans suspended from heavy link chain; latched dumpsters -- there were bears trying to get at it.

I can't imagine they'd pass up an opportunity to get at chickens.

 

[Ted Brown]

...I can't imagine they'd pass up an opportunity to get at chickens.

A good dose of joules works.