Predators

[MommyGirl]

Is an electric fence necessary? Or am I being to protective? Can raccoons or opossum get thru chainlink fence?

 

[RainbowHen]

They can reach in and pull birds through. I'd cover with hardware cloth

 

[MommyGirl]

They can reach in and pull birds through. I'd cover with hardware cloth

They will be locked in coop at night. Never seen any in the daytime

 

[Gallinarium]

Raccoons can, as earlier said, reach through and grab a chicken. This might not be a problem if you lock them in at night, but better safe than sorry. Opossums, mustelids, (weasels and such,) and rodents can just walk right through the gaps in chain-link.

 

[MommyGirl]

Yeah I don't want to be crying later on so probably better to put up a hot wire! I have always been a over protective mother and just wanted to see if I was just crazy or what lol

 

[neo71665]

I'd still wrap the bottom 3-4 feet with hardware cloth. I used the same panels to make my run but I have a tin roof over mine. Just because you aint seen anything during daylight in the past doesn't mean they wont end up trying in the future.

 

[rosemarythyme]

For strictly coons and possums, just hardware cloth over chain link (attached securely of course) should be enough to ward those off.