need advice on predator protection

[hens4me]

My husband thinks this is enough to keep predators out, but I do not. Please share your thoughts. There is poultry netting inside the run under the dirt.

 

[21hens-incharge]

From what I can see that is standard chicken wire and it is stapled onto the wood.
It will keep the chickens in until the staples back out. It will not keep predators out.
At the very least it needs back up in the form of heavier wire. 2x4 welded wire that is put on with the u shaped fencing nails will help. I would go with the larger ones that are barbed. The smaller ones pull out like the staples do.
If you can perhaps add a board on top of the chicken wire to sandwich it between the two boards. This will help prevent backing out but adds to the water getting trapped and causing rot. Kind of a double edged sword there. It would help prevent getting snagged on the wire though.

A lot of how heavy duty you need to go depends on what you are keeping out. Chicken wire will control chickens and not much else. A dog for example can pull that wire loose and in it goes. Welded wire will keep a dog out and keep a coon from entering easily but not from reaching through and pulling parts off chickens that are snoozing by the fence. Remember that a raccoon can reach right through the chicken wire and cause some heartbreaking damage. Tiny hands that work like human ones are tough to beat. Hardware cloth 1/2 inch x 1/2 inch squares will stop the hands. I know it is costly but if you are only adding it to the bottom 2 feet it is not so bad.

I have to redo my run this summer. I have the welded wire but used the wrong fencing nails to put it up. I am getting the big ones next weekend if DH does not start the full run replacement by then. He wants to add a solid roof for shade and straighten out a crooked side.

I hope this info is useful to you.

Oh we did the staples like you have to hold the wire in place while we worked on adding the curved nails. They are long gone and the run is only 3 years old.

 

[petrel]

What 21 said. There are several accounts on this forum of predators tearing through chicken wire.

 

[dazookeyper]

I had only chicken wire and staples like you. Cheep and easy and was excited. One evening found a racoon in my chicken coop & run, lost 3. For my birthday last week we got welded wire and U nails and reinforced the run. Best gift I got. I would reinforce.

 

[JanetS]

I agree. Chicken wire is NOT strong enough to keep out most predators. We use 1/2" hardware cloth. It's a little pricey but its worth it to keep our chickens safe! Good luck.

 

[dazookeyper]

Yes, hardware cloth is in my plans for my next one but because I layered it over the 1" chicken wire I went a little cheeper with welded wire. Hardware clothe if you can afford it. I also like the A frame design and bury wire at its edge to deep from having to put wire all over the floor of the run.

 

[hens4me]

very helpful- thank you.