Perimeter Security with Chicken Wire (not hardware cloth)

[portlando]

I'm building a coop and run (total 4'x12'). I will be using hardware cloth for the run, but was wondering if I could get away with regular chicken wire buried around the perimeter? This would save me some money. I'm also thinking that digging predators would be deterred with any metal fencing in the ground. Any thoughts?

 

[fried green eggs]

Hi &

! The chicken wire is very thin so, I don't think it will last very long if laying on or under the ground. You could use garden wire fencing the stuff that has 1"x3" spacing, instead of hardware cloth.

 

[ChickenLegs13]

It's better than nothing.

 

[portlando]

Thanks! That's a good idea. The garden fencing IS cheaper than hardware cloth. You are talking about this stuff, right?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-28-in-x-50-ft-Garden-Fence-308371HD/204331903

Thanks again for the heads up.

 

[bdjh]

I used chicken wire around the perimeter of my run and coop......I laid it out flat on the ground (a 1-foot strip) with a couple of inches of dirt on top, with grass seed.

As it turns out, we don't have many predators......we have wolves and coyotes, but it seems they avoid our yard, possibly due to the presence of 3 dogs who've done plenty of territory marking.

However, last summer we did have a skunk try to get into the run at night.....I smelled him at about 5am.....and based on the scratches, he dug until he hit the chicken wire, and gave up.......he didn't seem to try any other spots at all, so I considered that a successful deterrent.

In any case, the girls were locked up tight in their coop, so he couldn't have done any damage even if he did get in.