New guy from Maine

[drumstick diva]

you have some beautiful land. The chicken wire isn't going to keep any predators out. They can dig under or climb over or just push their way in. Chicken wire only keeps chickens in. It doesn't stop predators. If you run some electric wiring around the run that will help but you mainly need much stronger wire, more posts to stabilize it, and 1/2 inch hardware cloth around the perimeter of the fencing from ground to about 2 feet high to keep raccoons from reaching in and biting off whatever part they can reach. They do horrific things. If you have hawks the run needs a top of deer fencing or something else. Hawks don't want to damage their wings so don't try to fly through it. Keep your chickens safe,

 

[ToMang07]

you have some beautiful land. The chicken wire isn't going to keep any predators out. They can dig under or climb over or just push their way in. Chicken wire only keeps chickens in. It doesn't stop predators. If you run some electric wiring around the run that will help but you mainly need much stronger wire, more posts to stabilize it, and 1/2 inch hardware cloth around the perimeter of the fencing from ground to about 2 feet high to keep raccoons from reaching in and biting off whatever part they can reach. They do horrific things. If you have hawks the run needs a top of deer fencing or something else. Hawks don't want to damage their wings so don't try to fly through it. Keep your chickens safe,

I'm aware. I plan on getting 1/2" square wire for the yard area.....but the risk is there regardless. I thought about netting for over the yard....I'll look into it. I need new netting for my blueberry bushes, anyway. Either way they will be at risk. They will only be "free-range" when myself or my brother are home. But even then we have just about every predator on the list in the area. Hopefully between our vigilance and the dog....we can keep the critters away.

 

[liz9910]