welded wire what size and gauge is best??? important building now!

[maf2008]

I am looking up priced on "redman" welded wire in the 48x100 size........ what gauge 14/19 is best?

Most important .... is 1x2 safer than 2x4.. can a coon or possum get into a 2x4 opening. Please help ASAP

....!!! I am building this weekend.

What do you all use? I do not want anything to kill my chickens.

I am making a 25x50 run and was thinking of putting the 1x2 welded wire on lower 4 feet and the higher 4 feet closer to the top using the 2x4 welded wire. What does anyone recommend? 1/2 inch hardware cloth is too expensive to put all around.

On the top I am putting a vinyl coated 19 gauge wire with branches/palm leaves for shade. Its cheaper than metal roof.

 

[DarkWolf]

. double post?

 

[DarkWolf]

19 is thinner
14 is thicker

As the number goes down, the diameter of the wire goes up.

1x2 is safer, but a coon can still grab and pull a chicken through... Just MO but if you put hardware cloth in the corners [2' either side and 2' up] of the run, the coons will not be likely to pull a chicken through.

Chickens when scared run into corners... Coons in packs chase chickens into the corner of the run... Teammate grabs a chicken.