- May 3, 2012
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Hello! I'm new to all this, but very excited..... and worried. In March, I got my first mix of chickens. 8 of them. Worked for 3 days on a "pen". I asked at the hardware store what to get, make, etc. So I had this raised, 6ft. by 6ft. Chicken Wire pen. That's what I was told by 3 different people to use. I was so excited! Planned on making a tractor so they could free range. I guess I don't have to tell you this story ended in tragedy. A family of raccoons tore right through the pen. Killed them all. I was devastated. and determined. I researched the internet, books, and thread. And pretty much learned that alot of them don't know what they are talking about either. I have really enjoyed and appreciated this site. Learned so much. Thanks. I bought 5 more chickens after I built a pretty awesome coop. I might have got a little carried away though. It ended up weighting around 300 lbs. and took 5 adults to move. (I built it on my drive)
I used 1/2 inch hardware cloth in the windows, which are fairly large. We are in the South and have horribly hot Springs, Summers, Falls, and well sometimes no Winters. But I still worry about my chickens and predators. Can anything get through the hardware cloth? I not only used fencing nails, I also framed it completely in with 2x4 so there was not any way to pull it free. Eventually I would like to get a really good electric fence. Until then, are they safe? Thanks again for all the great advice and information. Shasta
