welded wire fence.

[moetrout]

I am in the process of building a new coup and run for my chicks. After reading a lot here on BYC and talking with my neighbor who has raised chickens next to me I think I need to really consider how I predator proof my run. The main problem in my area is coons. The neighbor gave up raising them because of the coon problem, she just couldn't keep them out. I have 6 chicks and 1 heritage turkey all bought at the same time and all are now about 4 weeks old. the run I plan to build would be 4'x4'x10'. I don't feel regular poultry netting (1" hex) will do at all. I want to use welded wire fence in 1"x2", however I can't seem to find it in S.E. Michigan. Anyone know where I can buy this locally?

 

[ChickenToes]

The best thing to use is hardware cloth. I use 19 gauge for all my fencing, and the only predator that almost got in was a bear that was climbing the fenceposts. It really keep everything out. Deer netting (or something similar) run across the top of the run can keep out hawks and owls.

 

[patandchickens]

Have you *asked* at your local feed/farm stores, asked the manager not just the teenager at the register? Normally they could at least order it for you.

That's an extremly small run for six chickens and a turkey, though... I would highly, highly suggest tripling it or more.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[moetrout]

Good idea, I will ask at the local TSC and see if they can order what I want. Is 1/2" hardware cloth sufficient?

Pat, I appreciate your comments about the size of the run and assure you that's just a start. I plan to build my run in modular panels so I can easily increase the size. The first run is just to get me by until I can build a bigger coup and then I will increase the size of the run. Also, my birds will have free range on my 2 acre backyard during the day, so the run won't be their main habitat. My goal is by about August I plan to have a 4'x8' coup with a 8'x8'x10' run.

I know this is off topic here.....but.......am I going to have any issues raising a turkey with my hens? My neighbor says it's not going to work. The farm I bought them from said it would be just fine. I guess now I am looking for a concensus from the masses.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Yup, that should be good. I'd be suggesting a larger-mesh for most of the run with something small-mesh just at the bottom, except that your run is short enough that I think hardwarecloth really WOULD be safer all over, given your serious raccoon problem. Make sure the top is VERY STRONGLY supported, so that if you get a couple big fat coons up there jumpin' up and down on it the top doesn't rip off its staples or collapse.

Also, my birds will have free range on my 2 acre backyard during the day, so the run won't be their main habitat.

Oh, ok, that's not so bad then, and the larger run will be good too.

I know this is off topic here.....but.......am I going to have any issues raising a turkey with my hens? My neighbor says it's not going to work. The farm I bought them from said it would be just fine. I guess now I am looking for a concensus from the masses.

Maybe, maybe not. Can't tell in advance. Partly it depends on what size breed it is, and whether a hen or tom. But there is also a luck element. You'll just have to keep an eye on things. Also turkeys can get fatal blackhead from chickens but that's not an issue everywhere.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat​

 

[mdbokc]

Install electric fence.

 

[moetrout]

I don't want to deal with an electric fence, but thanks just the same for suggesting.

The coons don't know it yet, but its gonna be war with them starting this weekend. While at TCS I am going to buy a couple of live traps and keep them out constantly. Although live trap does not mean live coon, homey don't play that. Since I am out in the country I also plan to do some sniping with the .22 mag varmint gun. I know for a fact I have a HUGE old grandpa coon in my storage barn, came face to face (3' away!) with him when I opened the door last weekend. That old boy was lucky I couldn't find a handy weapon or I would have taken him out on the spot.

Pat, thanks again for the reply. I have read up on the blackhead disease. Seems like it depends if that disease is prevalent in your area or not. Any idea how you would find that out? So far the turkey is everyones favorite and he (at least we think it's a tom) is very docile and seems to really love the attention. None of us thought a turkey would be so sweet. Heritage turkey by the way.

Thanks for all the responses!

 

[boogiedog]

I have a major predator problem in my area and really fortified my coop and run; I dug out about 3" of soil on run bottom and laid chicken wire, overlapped and zip-tied every 2-3 inches - and extended 1' past "edge"; refilled with dirt. For the sides I have 1" square 14g galavanized (galvanized after welding so joints don't rust) buried one foot down (with the chicken wire that run across the bottom, under the dirt) to the top - 6'. Wire is nailed with galvanized u-nails every 2-3 inches, all sides. (I used 48" wire so I have a 2x4 at the mid-section and on the top to connect the 2 panels, and a 2x8" that runs along the bottom) Topped with chicken wire nailed to top frame and zip-tied again in the center. Run is 24' x 8 x 6' high.

I chose the 1" galvanized metal cloth over 1/2" for light - my run area is partial shade and I wanted to maximize light penetration without compromising safety.

So far, so good and it has been 1 month. Wish me luck... Don't even ask what I spent on this set up...

 

[patandchickens]

BTW, I doubt a TSC store will special-order for you -- go to a REAL feed/farm store in your area and ask THEM.

Your state extension service can tell you how common blackhead is in your area -- but as you already HAVE the turkey, I don't see as it MATTERs a lot

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Puresilk]

Quote:
I was gonna tell you that if you are simply gonna relocate the coon, they will come back home from as far away as 5-6 miles...but it sounds like you got a more foolproof way of gettin them out of the way, lol....myself, being a coon hunter, I just relocate them, I dont like killing coon but thats just me...you sure wont hurt the population in your back yard, lol...