PVC feeders: Do I need to seal this opening?

[ninabeast]

Yesterday, we installed (finally!) the PVC feeders. I wanted to be able to fill the feeders from outside the coop, so the 90-degree elbow goes through the coop wall. After jigsawing the hole and installing the feeder, there is a small gap between the wall and the elbow, about a quarter inch. The gap is about 8-12" off the floor of the coop, when measured from the inside of the coop. If it's relevent, the coop is built inside a barn.

I've attached pics, inside and out. My questions are:

1. Do I need to seal the gap? Is it a problem for drafts, predators or pests? Or is it okay to leave it open?

2. If I do need to seal the gap, with what should I seal it so the chickens won't eat something they shouldn't?

As always...thanks!

 

[7L Farm]

I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Kdub86]

I would only fill the gap if mice or other pest could fit through

 

[Ole rooster]

I'm just opposite. That is a mouse road to me. Anything larger than a 1/4 inch to my way of thinking is needing to be sealed. Although I will use 1/2 hardware cloth. Get a small piece of sheet aluminum and cut it to fit. Easy to work.

 

[7L Farm]

I thought it was only a quarter inch whole.

 

[ninabeast]

The barn IS mouse heaven, although they're not in the coop. Yet. That I know of.

 

[7L Farm]

Quote:
I'd seal it then. I would use silicone.

 

[BoltonChicken]

Since it is a plywood wall and easy chewing for a mouse, I side the the hardware cloth/ aluminum idea. The mice (and the chicks if they wanted to) would make easy work of the silicone.

But in answer to your original question, yes... seal it.

 

[ninabeast]

Thank you all! I shall seal with hardware cloth scraps. Will stapling suffice, seeing as we're talking about mice here?

 

[BoltonChicken]

Will stapling suffice, seeing as we're talking about mice here?

Personally I would use 1 1/4" decking screws through 1" fender washers. That will keep out anything up to the size of a Doberman, but you could probably get by with staples for mice. But what about rats? Arggg... decisions!