Pen Wire..

[JJMR794]

MINE DO... MY RING NECK MALES ARE BETTER MOUSERS THAN MOST CATS... MICE, RATS, SQUIRRELS... THERE'S NO FREE LUNCH IN ANY OF MY PENS... UNLESS YOU WANT RIPE RODENT ON THE MENU

 

[Humhill]

I'm going through this dilemma myself right now. I've been using a chain-link dog lot, but as we're finishing up the "Pheasant Fortress" we need to make a bigger are for them. I've had a problem finding more dog lot panels cheap enough, and was thinking about the 2x4 wire, but I'm worried the pheasants would be able to squeeze out if they really tried. I could line the 2x4 with chicken wire if I needed, but would rather not have to do that.
What do ya'll think?

 

[Tony K T]

I wouldn't waste time with the 2x4 wire,they will walk right threw it and it makes it easier for coons and others to reach in and grab them.
My dad always tells me to do it right the first time and you won't have to do it again!
I use hardware cloth 1/2x1/2 all around and on top.Very few sparrows get in,but no other types of bird get in.Chipmonks are the main unwanteds now.
In N.H.,Tony.

 

[ranit]

Way back when we built our first pen and didn't have a dog, we used chicken wire. Bought some young ringnecks and put in the pen and in not time started haing problems with raccoons reaching through the wire, grabbing and killing them. They would pull them through the wire enough to eat them. I was amazed that as big as the birds were the raccoons could dispose of everything but some feathers this way. I actually didn't believe my husband when told me after checking everything over that was what was going on. We put two strands of hotwire up (at about 5" and another about 10") and it stopped the losses. We later caught three raccoons so I had to admit my husband was right.