our 1st coop and run... need alittle help :)

[Jen4]

We are getting stuff together to build our 1st coop and run... one question we have is will it be ok to put that hard wire cloth (forgot what its called now) around the bottom part of the run, then use chicken wire for the rest and top to cover it?

 

[Comet Mum]

Yes, that is a good idea, and extra secure. Most people also bury ~ 2' of wire (we used chicken wire) around the bottom of the coop to discourage digging predators. You don't need to dig 2' down, but rather a few inches down then place the rest of the wire parallel to the ground and cover it all. There are some good pictures in the coop building section of people burying wire. Good luck!

 

[Jen4]

Thanks.... there is soooo much to think about and do!

 

[patandchickens]

Hardwarecloth along the bottom is not a bad idea.

However I would REALLY make the rest (higher part) of the fence of something a lot stronger than chickenwire. No point having the bottom 2' strong if a dog or raccoon can just bite/rip through the fence at a point above that, and get in.

2x4" wire mesh, in a heavy gauge, seems to me a reasonable compromise between strength/price/mesh-size; but other options exist too.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[RendonRoo]

I'm about to start my coop and run.. We have several "wild dogs" as well as other preditors in this area. I'm planning on using welded wire all the way up the sides with 1/2 hardware cloth about 3' up the sides. Also i'm getting an electric fence and running around bottom middle and top of sides. It may be an overkill but i don't want to find shreaded chickens some morning. Good luck and remember that the preditors are usually hungry and desparate...

 

[Jen4]

Thanks