Predator apron for chicken coop from re-purposed chain-link fence?

[Gertie Greenbriar]

Hello!

I am currently working on turning an old barn-style outbuilding on our property into a chicken coop. It is quite an old building, but it has good bones, decent foundation (buried double stacked cinder-block and reinforced with poured concrete) and dirt floors. I recently got a whole lot of used chain-link fence from job. I was wondering if the standard chain-link fence, (like you see in neighborhoods, 5ft high with diamond shaped holes) would work as a predator apron on my chicken coop. I imagine it on the outside of the building, fastened about two feet high to the barn-wood and then run down to the ground and at a 90 degree angle roughly 2 to 3 feet long outwards. Basically like an "L" or "|__" shape. I was thinking of having a few inches of soil depth dug out, and then add it back after install with some bricks.

So, would standard chain-link fence work well as a predator apron on my coop? We live in Ohio in the country so there are possums, skunks, raccoons, coyotes, dogs, et cetera all around.

Thank you in advance!

 

[chicken1234]

Hi there! I always use what I have laying around first. The chain link fencing would work well on the ground but for the smaller predators like weasels I would use 1/2" hardware cloth. When I did mine I raked the area, rolled out the hardware cloth along the fence line. Attached it to the bottom of the fence then tossed dirt and grass seed on top. I've also used flat rocks and logs along the bottom of the fence. Are you going to cover the pen?
The thing with the chain link is chickens tend to stick their heads out of the fence or predators lay in wait then reach in and grab them.

 

[Birdinhand]

no need for chain link, hardware cloth, which should be called "Chicken Wire" is the ideal, 16 gauge, half inch by one inch, is the way to go. for it to last long term it needs to stay dry or the chicken manure/moisture will eat away at it in about 5 years, so thick plastic on the outside will extend it's life by helping to keep it dry. for me here in the northwest, the rain is a challenge and the fact that I made my coop with very little eave, so water comes off the roof directly onto the wire, so I eventually had to redo the portion that went into the ground and add a plastic skirt.

 

[aart]

hardware cloth, which should be called "Chicken Wire" is the ideal, 16 gauge, half inch by one inch, is the way to go.

This is rather confusing.
Chicken wire is hexagonal twisted 20ga.
Hardware Cloth goes from 1/8" to 1/2" of varying gauge wire.
1/2" x 1" is usually 14-16 gauge and usually called cage mesh.

So, would standard chain-link fence work well as a predator apron on my coop?

The chain link fencing would work well on the ground but for the smaller predators like weasels I would use 1/2" hardware cloth.

Ditto Dat.

Would be hard to bend CL into the L shape.

 

[Gertie Greenbriar]

Hi there! I always use what I have laying around first. The chain link fencing would work well on the ground but for the smaller predators like weasels I would use 1/2" hardware cloth. When I did mine I raked the area, rolled out the hardware cloth along the fence line. Attached it to the bottom of the fence then tossed dirt and grass seed on top. I've also used flat rocks and logs along the bottom of the fence. Are you going to cover the pen?
The thing with the chain link is chickens tend to stick their heads out of the fence or predators lay in wait then reach in and grab them.

Hey thank you. Yes, the pen will be covered! Also, do weasels dig underground or mostly attack from exposed areas?

no need for chain link, hardware cloth, which should be called "Chicken Wire" is the ideal, 16 gauge, half inch by one inch, is the way to go. for it to last long term it needs to stay dry or the chicken manure/moisture will eat away at it in about 5 years, so thick plastic on the outside will extend it's life by helping to keep it dry. for me here in the northwest, the rain is a challenge and the fact that I made my coop with very little eave, so water comes off the roof directly onto the wire, so I eventually had to redo the portion that went into the ground and add a plastic skirt.

Hello there! I saw online they have pvc coated hardware cloth and chicken wire. It is more expensive than regular, but seems it would serve the same purpose to fight against the rain. I like the plastic skirt idea better though and will see what I've got Thanks!

This is rather confusing.
Chicken wire is hexagonal twisted 20ga.
Hardware Cloth goes from 1/8" to 1/2" of varying gauge wire.
1/2" x 1" is usually 14-16 gauge and usually called cage mesh.


Ditto Dat.

Would be hard to bend CL into the L shape.

I've never actually seen a weasel or other small predator like that in real life. What size opening can these creatures weasel through? Are weasels the smallest of the predators I would need to worry about? Thanks!

 

[aart]

What size opening can these creatures weasel through? Are weasels the smallest of the predators I would need to worry about?

Weasels, and rats, can fit thru 3/4" hole....why most folks suggest 1/2" metal mesh.

 

[rosemarythyme]

It certainly would be better than no apron, but yes rats at the very least could easily dig through the openings.

I would have to imagine bending chain link to fit in such a manner would be very difficult, but then again I've never tried...

 

[chicken1234]

I also like the 1/2" x 1/2" hardware cloth wire (its not called chicken wire) because it keeps the chipmunks, squirrels and mice from stealing food from my chickens feeders. The weasel issue I had occurred at night but I have seen them in the daytime. He basically went around my pen trying to get in and when he couldn't he started clawing and chewing around the edge of the wood door. We put up a camera and was able to get a photo of him. Then trapped him in a live trap and relocated him.

 

[mowin]

No need to bend it. Roll it out vertically. Just have to do 5' at a time.

Weasels don't usually dig. They will however exploit another critters hole.

 

[RumneyRoost]

Since you have it you may as well use it. It would be nice and sturdy against coyotes or dogs. You could easily run some hardware cloth with it for protection against smaller animals.