So many dead chickens

[Ihavesomechickens]

Chicken wire is no where near strong enough to protect anything really. You can rip through chicken wire in like five minutes. Animals can bite through it in seconds.
I have 1/4x1/4 hardware cloth all the way around six feet high.

 

[cmom]

Chicken wire isn't strong enough to keep out much over the strength of a weasel. Coyote, feral dogs, skunk & coon can all Rip up chicken wire with their mouths & feet. I use graduated pig fence( rigid wire panels) from the Feedstore that are about 6x16 foot. Bigger cost investment but going on 30 years without any loss or fencing replacement. I use chicken wire for the top to stop Raptors & owls or savvy coyotes. & run it on the inside of the base to prevent my little chicks escape.
I buried the fencing about a foot or you can use RR ties along the base to stop diggers. Takes a hefty bolt cutter to cut the panels to a shorter length, but its do-able for a women's strength with about 16" long bolt cutters from walmart.

I have not incorporated the welded wire around the perimeter of my pens but have it in some places. With the electric wire around the pens I have had nothing try to get through the chicken wire and we have all kinds of predators. I too started keeping birds around 50 years ago. They know the electric wire is there and don't mess with it. The pens are covered with heavy duty netting. SUPER STRONG and DURABLE -Tensile Strength: 85/245 LBS per Mesh. All of the pens are completely covered. Most predators inspect things first with their noses and when they touch the electric wire they will know it. I've lost my share of birds over the years and have learned the hard way. Good luck and have fun...

 

[TK421]

I don’t think you’re dealing with skunks or coyotes. It sounds and looks more like raccoons/weasels/foxes. I agree with others that chicken wire does nothing to deter predators. Put up hardware cloth or welded wire at least in the bottom 4 ft