Run "foundation" and wire question

[garp94]

we're building a more secure run, which won't have a top for a while, but down the line will, so i want the rest of it to be raccoon-proof [biggest problem here] from the start.

What kind of wire for the sides? I know poultry netting is out. I don't remember where I read this, but I have in the back of my head 1" by 2" turkey wire/rectangular mesh. But, Raccoon hands can go through that. If I put 1/2" hardware cloth along the bottom 2 feet would that be enough to stop grabbing hands? then could I use 2" by 3" fencing for the rest [much easier to get since Lowe's carries that and not the 1" x 2"]


Foundation: Seems like a foot of hardward cloth in the gound should stop them, but i have access to free cinder blocks. Would blocks buried 2 deep be fine? Would i need to mortar them to keep out rodents? [although if we have to deal with cement, I may pay more and spend less time just burying the hardware cloth]

Thanks for all the advice

 

[sparkles2307]

We used 1/2" hardware cloth...and I plan to reinforce it with chicken wire... The temporary run is welded wire 2"x4" with chicken mesh inside.

The coons will climb right up and down in if theres no top on it...

 

[patandchickens]

IMO it is perfectly reasonable to use a HEAVY GAUGE (like, not chickenwire-flimsy) welded wire mesh, holes no bigger than 2x4", with something small-meshed such as hardwarecloth added on the bottom 2-3 ft to prevent reach-through. It iwll not keep out weasels or rats, but then really not much *will*.

Foundation: Seems like a foot of hardward cloth in the gound should stop them, but i have access to free cinder blocks. Would blocks buried 2 deep be fine?

Things that will dig, will usually happily dig down 18" or more (sometimes considerably more, depending what you're dealing with). I don't personally think it's worth burying your run fence unless you are going to REALLY bury it, like that deep or preferably deeper.

An apron of heavy gauge welded wire mesh, preferably 3-4' wide and connected securely to the bottom of the run fence, will do the same job for a lot less work. Just make sure it is well pinned/weighted down, preferably with the edge in particular concealed. This will not keep out rats, but, see above

Good luck, have fun,

Pat​

 

[garp94]

the chickies get locked in the coop at night, but if i cut down the trees, i can cover the run, then i don't have to lock them up. Guess i should decide if i really want to cut down the trees before i spend much time worrying about something digging under the fence.

Yes, it would be heavy gauge welded wire[12 or 14]. I've had something [guessing raccoon] chew through chicken wire to get to a chicken before, so i sadly know first hand that poultry netting isn't enough.

thank-you