Predators

[Sunnymommy]

What predators can get through a one inch gap? Putting up wire mesh on coop/run now and hubby doesn't believe me...

 

[itspebbl]

I know that snakes, mice, mink and possibly rats may be able to get through a gap that size, but unless mink are very common in your area, I wouldn't worry too much about a small gap, especially if it's in the run

 

[Top Rooster]

Snakes, rats, Mink, weasels maybe.

 

[NorthTexasWink]

A one inch gap leaves birds vulnerable to a raccoon reaching in to grab any piece it can reach. Said coon then proceeds to try to rip the bird through the wire. You can't imagine the carnage.

 

[Patinas]

I would go with 1/2" mesh. Besides keeping out the larger predators, you want to keep out the pesky mice, rats, snakes, etc. I have a feeder in the run and the coop so I don't want rats or mice getting in either one and so far, 1/2" mesh around the run has kept everything out and kept the chickens safely in!

 

[Flock In Texas]

The 1 " can be spread to larger and be torn by a good sized dog or wild animal. Use hardware cloth for nighttime security.

 

[Hokum Coco]

one inch gap

A weasel can wipe out your whole flock of a dozen or more birds in one attack through a one inch gap. It happen once to me through that sort of gap. Again when I failed to shut the man door on my pigeon loft.