They chew through hardware cloth?!?

[Appalachickens]

We've had people trespass on our property to coon hunt and although it makes me angry with the hunters, I can't even imagine wanting to shoot the dog just for treeing a raccoon. I'd say the guy deserved the fine.

 

[Ted Brown]

1/4" x 1/4" is 23 gauge wire; 1/2" x 1/2" is 19 gauge. 23 gauge wire is .0226" thick, 19 gauge is .0359" a difference of more than half.

I suggest that the choice of 1/4x1/4 is the source of failure in your situation. A number of folks above commented on the "straight line". Look closely, not so straight with different lengths of wire along the line. I suggest that whatever broke through simply tore the wire as it is not strong enough to resist.

As suggested a over covering of existing wire with 1x1 or 1x2 or... will solve the problem. Or using 1/2 x 1/2 to begin with.

Even then not perfect. I used 1/2 x 1/2 on both walls and apron, after six years the portion of the wire that was buried (bottom edges) has deteriorated and ground hogs have ripped it apart. I have purchased 1 x 2 to cover the existing HC.

Good luck!

 

[GrovesEdge]

It’s been a couple of weeks now and so far so good! If anything has tried to get in, it didn’t make enough progress to leave behind any more damage.

Our neighbor’s dog has been back. She tends to show up at our house looking for shelter during storms. It wouldn’t surprise me if she has had to hunt for her own food at times. She was either curious or hungry when she discovered the chickens. Either way, with the reinforcements we’ve made I think it’ll be okay. In our area you definitely can legally shoot a dog that kills livestock, but I’d really prefer to keep it from getting that far.

We’ve attached cage wire (with screws and what looks like a cross between a washer and a staple), added a decomposed granite path over the top of the hardware cloth apron and installed a camera with a motion detector spotlight. We have a couple more things we’d like to do to reinforce the top of the run, but we’re getting there. It’s a really good thing we didn’t go into this thinking the eggs would pay for themselves!

Some people golf, I protect chickens! It’s a thing.

 

[Momsbusiness]

my entire flock, 14 laying hens were killed by two loose buldogs that a couple let run free. after they killed mine they went over to my neighbors and got access to his from a higher position, as it was higher on one side they couldn't get out. my neighbor heard the chickens and the dogs are no longer a problem. we both have 1/4 in. hardware. after this happened my husband repaired where the dogs tore the wire then got some chain link fence and put it on top of the hardware cloth. good luck it is very difficult to keep the predators' out. We thought our coop was very tight but now we are fighting the snakes. luckily they are non poisonous so far. So back to the drawing board with checking and re-checking and fulling any small holes with steel wool. good luck

I am so very sorry. That is such a terrible thing to have happen . This how pit bulls get bad names when owners don't acknowledge they are capable of such things on the loose and not trained properly.

 

[JimFromTaft]

It's important to take note of what gauge the hardware cloth is. 1 other member noted the 23 and 19 gauge. 23 is obviously cheaper but has far less resistance to elements like an aggressive predator. 19 gauge holds up longer (especially when coated) and more effectively. there is even 27 gauge that I most definitely suggest being avoided/trusted as a protective solution.

 

[GrovesEdge]

I agree with the second board on the other side of the HC/fencing. We did that with our run and afterwards I pulled on it as hard as I could - it wasn't budging. (Of course, a bear might beg to differ.) I have 1/2 inch hardware cloth over the entire run and an addition of welded wire fencing on the bottom 3 feet. It's an open coop, so the run has to be secure.
View attachment 4165049

Love your setup! Beautiful! I definitely want to sandwich trim pieces

 

[Appalachickens]

Love your setup! Beautiful! I definitely want to sandwich trim pieces

Thank you!