New-- Sound changes in my Hen

[ChickMagnet64]

The comments about chicken wire being no problem for fox and raccoons to chew threw is discouraging. I just finished a new 15'X25' run 6' high and covered. It was a lot of work and expense. I still lock everyone in the coop at night but we live in the woods and predators are everywhere. The coop is bulletproof but I guess I may have to rethink the run.

 

[centrarchid]

The comments about chicken wire being no problem for fox and raccoons to chew threw is discouraging. I just finished a new 15'X25' run 6' high and covered. It was a lot of work and expense. I still lock everyone in the coop at night but we live in the woods and predators are everywhere. The coop is bulletproof but I guess I may have to rethink the run.

Need to be in another thread but you can get away with chicken wire with a little added expenditure. What I do is build my coops with relatively light materials as compromise for mobility similar to chicken tractors, but then make trying to get through wire extremely unpleasant. I have two primary layers that make chicken wire work; first is dogs that patrol denying predators time to challenge the low grade wire, the second is hotwire placed about 4" away from minimally constructed structure to zap anyone trying to tear their way in. The act of tearing places pest in ideal location to get zapped. If climber / jumper involved then multiple strands used at 6" intervals from the ground. Hotwire is much cheaper than dogs but I use both because we live in a predator dense location. You can go light on charger (joules) but take precautions for grounding if lightening strikes a lot otherwise you be needed a new charger more frequently than typical. Kids learn hotwire real quick so that is not a limitation either.

 

[aart]

Quote: Hot wire is especially effective if you make the chicken wire a grounding element.

 

[iwiw60]

Hot wire is especially effective if you make the chicken wire a grounding element.

Personally I would steer clear of hot wiring...too many "if's" involved. Since @ChickMagnet64 has already completed her run in plain chicken wire my suggestion would be to purchase 1/2" hardware cloth in 3' roll and "wrap" it around the run from ground level up, keeping an "apron" about 10-12" to deter diggers.....example:

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Personally I would steer clear of hot wiring...too many "if's" involved. Since @ChickMagnet64 has already completed her run in plain chicken wire my suggestion would be to purchase 1/2" hardware cloth in 3' roll and "wrap" it around the run from ground level up, keeping an "apron" about 10-12" to deter diggers.....example:

What "ifs", specifically?