really strange question.....

[blueberrychickens]

How tall is a full grown hen? We are starting the run soon & plan to go 18" up from the ground w/ the hardware cloth. Will that be high enough to keep their heads in & out of the hands of racoons?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Yes, 18" should be plenty. 12" is a little too short.

 

[Mrs. K]

When I first read your post, I thought you were only going to make the run 18 inches high! haha. My full grown standard chickens are just a bit short of knee high. 18 inches would probably do it, but 24 inches would be sure!

mk

 

[georgialee]

So you're saying the run will be 18" tall? What breeds of chickens do you have? That would be too short for some of the chooks I have here - marans, welsummers, wyandottes, etc.

 

[blueberrychickens]

Oh no, not just 18" high, more like 6 feet high!

Putting the hardware cloth on the bottom to keep heads in & hands out!!! Burying the apron out 18" too!

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

A standing coon can probably reach over 18 inch wire. I'd go at least 24".

 

[Finn's Mom]

Yes, I have to agree -- a full grown raccoon can have a good reach if it is determined -- 18 would be ok, but 24 would be better.

I too was picturing the short version of your run.

 

[georgialee]

Ahhhh....gotchya!

I would go around 24"... if it's easier to go 18" though then I would stick with that.

 

[blueberrychickens]

Well I figured that the hardware cloth we bought is 36", so 1/2 goes under the grass & 1/2 goes up the fence. They will be locked up @ nite inside their Fort Knox coop. Run is going to be 25'x10'. Spoiled spoiled chickens.....

 

[NellaBean]

You need to go 24" if you have standard hens. I have a 6 foot fence....bottom two feet is a smaller mesh top 4 feet is 2"x2". My big roos are taller than 24"....the hens a bit shorter.