raccoons

[zgun]

My neighbor just alerted me to the problem of raccoons killing chickens. Can someone recommend the appropriate wire for my chicken pen to keep them out? Any other critters I should be aware of, and ideas on how to keep my chickens safe from them? What about snakes, are they a threat?
Yes, I am just getting started, and looking forward to getting to know some of you. I am in hot, humid, middle Georgia!

 

[Sara Ranch]

1/2" hardware cloth...(I use 1/4" hardware cloth).

There's a lot of advice to be heard/read from folks with a lot of experience.

I would suggest the hardware cloth sandwiched between wood over any openings for the coop and the run, except for the human door.

I would suggest hardware cloth two feet up from the bottom of the fencing and two feet out from the bottom of the fencing. It prevents most animals, including snakes, from digging under the fence to get in.

Raccons have tiny hands that can reach into a small opening, grab a chicken, and kill it. Close up all holes!

 

[rIrs roost]

Welcome to byc. Glad you joined us. I use 1/2 hardware cloth for wire. Make sure to cover the ends so they cant grab it and rip it off. depending on your coop it would be good to bury the wire down a couple feet to stop digging predators. Here we have hawks, eagles, snakes, coyotes, opossum , bobcats and a few others.

 

[AllenK RGV]

I'm new too but plan on simply bolting in my hardware cloth into the wooden floor with washers and screws to secure it over my exposed wood so it can't be lifted by any living critter. In my case the pen is too large to armor and raccoon's are only night active so it's only the coop I'm going to turn into a chicken fortress.

 

[abraga]

Definitely no chicken WIRE! Coons go right through it..weasals squeeze through it. We have all the predators..coyote, fox, coons, possums, skunks, weasels and hawks. I invested in a solid wood shed with a wood floor. All my windows/screen doors have hardware cloth wire screwd on. Coon proof latches to. Hens go into lockdown at night.

 

[zgun]

1/2" hardware cloth...(I use 1/4" hardware cloth).

There's a lot of advice to be heard/read from folks with a lot of experience.

I would suggest the hardware cloth sandwiched between wood over any openings for the coop and the run, except for the human door.

I would suggest hardware cloth two feet up from the bottom of the fencing and two feet out from the bottom of the fencing. It prevents most animals, including snakes, from digging under the fence to get in.

Raccons have tiny hands that can reach into a small opening, grab a chicken, and kill it. Close up all holes!

1/2" hardware cloth...(I use 1/4" hardware cloth).

There's a lot of advice to be heard/read from folks with a lot of experience.

I would suggest the hardware cloth sandwiched between wood over any openings for the coop and the run, except for the human door.

I would suggest hardware cloth two feet up from the bottom of the fencing and two feet out from the bottom of the fencing. It prevents most animals, including snakes, from digging under the fence to get in.

Raccons have tiny hands that can reach into a small opening, grab a chicken, and kill it. Close up all holes!

 

[zgun]

Sounds like you have lots of experience. I especially like the suggestion of going out another 2 feet beyond the sandwiched board area. I know they have little hands that can get into things. I will try this - thank you for taking time to respond.
Also, I want to introduce my grandsons to chickens. Is there a particular breed that is more conducive to being handled by humans?

 

[AllenK RGV]

Welcome to byc. Glad you joined us. I use 1/2 hardware cloth for wire. Make sure to cover the ends so they cant grab it and rip it off. depending on your coop it would be good to bury the wire down a couple feet to stop digging predators. Here we have hawks, eagles, snakes, coyotes, opossum , bobcats and a few others.

We have loads of possums here I was under the impression they were small insectivores I need to guard against them as well?

 

[rIrs roost]

We have loads of possums here I was under the impression they were small insectivores I need to guard against them as well?

Definitely guard against possums. They will attack chickens.

 

[Sara Ranch]

Others will have opinions on this one too...

For me -

Rhode Island Reds (boys) are super gentle and sweet. The two that I have do not fit the stereo type of being aggressive. (I adopted these guys.)

Buff Opingtons (girl) - my is super sweet and friendly. The boys are more skittish, but generally docile. I've raised these guys from babies. Correction - the two boys I raised as chicks are gentle. The ones I adopted, not so gentle, but they are mellowing out now.

White Leghorns (girls) - I have one that is sweet and adventurous. She has no problem coming up and talking to me.

Austrolorps (girls) - skittish.

Rocky Barre (boys) - forget it. These two are the noisest of the whole gang.

Carolina Sex Link (boy) - the LOUDEST dang chicken I have.

Americuanas (boys) - not bad. Mine are lap roosters, but they didn't start off that way.

*** things to consider when introducing your grandson to the chickens --

- how loud are the birds?
- how docile are they?
- do they have names your grandson can pronounce?
- do they have distinct features to make it easy for your grandson to identify them?

Please don't have your grandson meet birds with the intention of feeding them. The sudden interest in the food might scare your grandson. Let him watch and observe the birds. Sit near the birds and read the birds & your grandson a story. The birds might come over and listen. (Mine do.)