Old Shed Reno with some holes

[Reddoggfogg]

Hi
I'm re-using a previous set up, 6' x 12' walk in shed. The years have done their damage and I now have some holes where the old shed is in contact with the ground and up high where the roof meet the walls...all from varmint making their way in. I'm in NH so have everything from weasels, fisher cats, raccoon, to coyote, bear etc. etc. It the smaller predator's that I'm worried with due to the holes. I was hoping to avoid running Hardware cloth through out the entire inside, walls floors, ceiling. Ideas please?

I had thought of patching all the holes I see, scrap wood outside or hardwire cloth and then using dog kennels inside the shed overnight for ducklings for a time to test out and see if indeed I have everything patched. I don't know what size holes are big enough for something to harm birds. I have old galvanized garden fence looks to be 2" x 4" openings I could scavenger, but is that too big an opening? I was hoping for a cheap option. What's the maximum wire opening that is still secure?

In years past I have had what I believe were weasels get in due to finding headless birds. I even had a headless bird that disappeared overnight ( it was in the outside run which had chicken wire loosely laid over the top, and a family emergency took me away and had me forget to collect it at the end of that day). The headless bird in the outside run would disappear and be back in the outside run the next day, along with a great horned owl! that apparently came thru the chicken wire on top, but had to await my opening the chain link run side gate to fly off. The worse part, it wasn't quite daybreak, after I corralled my pack of dogs because I could barely make out what I thought at first was a porcupine in the run. Sadly I didn't get my camera, as I hadn't had any coffee and wasn't thinking. At least I had a great horned owl take off from immediately next to me and I felt and heard the air from it's massive wingspan and watch it ascend, barely clearing my 2 story garage 90' away.
Thanks for help/suggestions

 

[Ted Brown]

Difficult to provide suggestions without actually seeing the problems you describe.

From what you have said I guess that a patch job is not what you need, more likely a redo of the bottom portions of the coop with fresh lumber along with repairs/redo of the upper portions of the coop and repairs to the run. Most folks recommend 1/2" hardware cloth as the best solution.

Post some pics, you will get lots of suggestions from the good/experienced folks that frequent this site.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Weasels and snakes can get through very small openings, I’m told.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! No openings larger than 1/2" diameter anywhere, and solid walls or well secured hardware cloth everywhere.
Try posting some photos...
Mary

 

[aart]

Difficult to provide suggestions without actually seeing the problems you describe....Post some pics, you will get lots of suggestions from the good/experienced folks that frequent this site.

Ditto Dat!^^^

 

[Reddoggfogg]

Thanks, snakes aren't a problem here. Guess I'll research opening size v. weasels

 

[Reddoggfogg]

wire lath costs the same per square foot as hardwire cloth and was a lot quicker/easier to install. It's thicker and will act like a peg board if desired.