Roof for Chicken Run

[hhouck514]

What would you recommend that I use for the roof of a chicken run? Would a UV treated netting work well? I have some chicks coming from Cackle Hatchery later this week, and I will be building a coop/run for them soon. I need to use something that can keep flying bantams in, but also keep birds of prey out. Thanks in Advance!

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

You’ll want hardwire cloth. Animals can’t chew through it. And yes, raccoons and foxes and coyotes can climb. Use 6inches of hardwire mesh around the run and coop too.

 

[imnukensc]

Since you're not putting a solid roof on I would suggest 2X3 or 2X4 welded fence wire. No real need for HWC for the roof of the run to keep bantams in and hawks out.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Since you're not putting a solid roof on I would suggest 2X3 or 2X4 welded fence wire. No real need for HWC for the roof of the run to keep bantams in and hawks out.

It keeps other animals out like I said in my previous post. There are more worrisome animals than hawks.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The ideal answer is hardware cloth. Poultry netting for a cover will keep birds of prey out but won't deter raccoons.

 

[imnukensc]

It keeps other animals out like I said in my previous post. There are more worrisome animals than hawks.

I agree, but that's not what the OP asked about. And even so, I wouldn't recommend HWC. Welded wire comes in smaller meshes, too, like 1/2 X 1, 1 X 1, 1 X 2, is easier to work with than HWC and is heavier gauge (thicker) than HWC. Lots of folks seem to think HWC is the holy grail. I'm not one of them.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I agree, but that's not what the OP asked about. And even so, I wouldn't recommend HWC. Welded wire comes in smaller meshes, too, like 1/2 X 1, 1 X 1, 1 X 2, is easier to work with than HWC and is heavier gauge (thicker) than HWC. Lots of folks seem to think HWC is the holy grail. I'm not one of them.

Those gaps are still far too large. A raccoon can grab through and still kill a chicken with welded wire.

 

[paneubert]

Those gaps are still far too large. A raccoon can grab through and still kill a chicken with welded wire.

A raccoon will not be grabbing a chicken thru the roof of the run. There is no reason why a chicken would be within grabbing distance of the roof of a run, especially during the prime raccoon/ground based predator hours. We are talking about a roof, not a wall at ground level. Since they say their goal is to keep birds in and hawks out, the wider spaced and thicker/heavier wire is the way to go for at least 4 reasons I can see. First, thicker wire will last longer. Second, price will be the same, if not slightly cheaper. Third, easier to work with. Fourth, leaves and other stuff falls thru a lot easier, so makes maintenance easier. Also snow....they live in Oregon, so most likely get a little snow. Or a lot. Depends on which side of the mountains. A roof of hardware cloth will hold snow like a sold roof would. But will be weaker.

I echo what @imnukensc said in their post in regards to hardware cloth being fabulous in general, but not the needed/prefered choice for a ROOF to a run.... "I agree, but that's not what the OP asked about."

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

A raccoon will not be grabbing a chicken thru the roof of the run. There is no reason why a chicken would be within grabbing distance of the roof of a run, especially during the prime raccoon/ground based predator hours. We are talking about a roof, not a wall at ground level. Since they say their goal is to keep birds in and hawks out, the wider spaced and thicker/heavier wire is the way to go for at least 4 reasons I can see. First, thicker wire will last longer. Second, price will be the same, if not slightly cheaper. Third, easier to work with. Fourth, leaves and other stuff falls thru a lot easier, so makes maintenance easier. Also snow....they live in Oregon, so most likely get a little snow. Or a lot. Depends on which side of the mountains. A roof of hardware cloth will hold snow like a sold roof would. But will be weaker.

I echo what @imnukensc said in their post in regards to hardware cloth being fabulous in general, but not the needed/prefered choice for a ROOF to a run.... "I agree, but that's not what the OP asked about."

I should clarify my post: that was in regards to the overall benefit of hwc over welded wire. To use for a roof, our local prices are far cheaper to use hwc over welded wire.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

While you are building a new coop and run, why not just put a metal roof on your run? It will keep it dry and safer!