Run Fencing

[opi8]

Hi All,

I had 3 rolls of steel "rubber/plastic" coated Mesh fencing donated to me. The size of the holes are 2" x 3". I am planning to bury approx. 6" into the ground. leaving the run approx 4 foot tall. I also plan on covering the run with this same material.

My question.... are the 2" x 3" holes in the fencing to large for chickens? Will it be safe against predators?
I am really hoping it will work, but I want to get some opinions before I trench all of it and realize later that it will not work.

Thanks In Advance for everybody's help!

Opi

 

[Chicken03]

I don't think a chicken would be able to fit through it. 4ft should be high enough unless your chickens can flutter pretty high. The only thing I would be worried about is something squeezing through the holes. You wouldn't think anything could but a small raccon or something even smaller may be able to fit through it.

 

[Judy]

It will work for chickens (if they are old enough) and as a cover for the run. It will not stop all predators. It will certainly not stop weasels, if you have them in your area. Not sure about burying it; I'd think it would discourage most diggers.

 

[Judy]

Mine will certainly fly over a 4' fence. As a cover, it will work against birds (hawks etc.) Some breeds fly higher than others, and this can be limited to some extent by wing clipping.

I hope some others with good experience in predator proofing will chime in here.

 

[bayside chick]

Anything larger than 1/2in. X 1/2in. will not be predator proof...they can stick there paws through and grab your chicks right through it. I recently had them get my Bantems through 1 X 1 welded wire

I would use the 1/2 in. a minimum of 2ft. high and 2ft.out from the coop/run , then maybe what you already have could be used for the rest of it.