Poultry netting?

[4mountainchicks]

Hi there! I am a newbie to chickens and feeling like I am about to feed the local bears, foxes and all the other animals that go bump in the night not to mention the neighbors dog who is obsessed. Mine could care less. We built a sturdy coop/run but now I am worried about the chicken wire we acquired. It is poultry netting with 1 inch openings. I was wondering if doubling up would be enough since we have so much? Unsightly I know or should I leave it and go buy some mesh. Thanks for any suggestions. I am blown away by this site!!!

 

[Percheron chick]

Double won't keep them out. I would put up chain link on the outside. A good hot wire is probably necessary too.

 

[4mountainchicks]

Oh geez okay... new project. My husband is gonna love this one.. but I don't think at this point he is going to want to come home to no chickens.

 

[jtn42248]

Hi there! I am a newbie to chickens and feeling like I am about to feed the local bears, foxes and all the other animals that go bump in the night not to mention the neighbors dog who is obsessed. Mine could care less. We built a sturdy coop/run but now I am worried about the chicken wire we acquired. It is poultry netting with 1 inch openings. I was wondering if doubling up would be enough since we have so much? Unsightly I know or should I leave it and go buy some mesh. Thanks for any suggestions. I am blown away by this site!!!

The problem with chicken wire like you describe is that it was invented to keep chickens in the pen and not to keep anything else out. I would suggest you get either 1/4 or 1/2 inch "fence fabric" if possible. You might be o.k. with the chicken wire as a cover for your run however.

 

[Percheron chick]

Unfortunately, it usually takes a mass killing before people understand just how strong you have to build to keep predators out. Mt Margie on the Colorado thread regularly has bear visitors and hasn't suffered any recent losses to the best of my knowledge. See what she's doing. Bears will rip doors and sides off the coop if they are desperate. I would keep all feed in the house too.

 

[4mountainchicks]

Thanks again... we live a little outside Leadville. I visited a coop, in town, and she had used the wire. Anyway, lesson learned. Our backyard is fenced with livestock fencing with barb over the top, that adds extra protection.

 

[eviemethugh]

Hardware cloth is considerably stronger (enough to keep out dogs, opossums, etc) but yeah for anything bigger than a dog you will probably want maybe three strategically placed hot wires. We have poultry netting electric wire that provides more coverage, but if your coop is fully enclosed, just a few wires should do the trick.

 

[4mountainchicks]

Thanks everyone! Do any of you have pics of your coops with hot wire? I am still trying to figure out how to navigate this site....

 

[Percheron chick]

If you go with a hotwirex the energizer needs to be rated for bear and not chickens or dogs. It will make your hair curl when you touch it.

 

[4mountainchicks]

Ouchi!! Little concerned about my kiddos with that one.