What fencing do I need for safety?

[Dylan_Madigan]

I'm relocating my chickens to an old horse stall for more room (just at night) and I just need to seal it up, especially for the chicks. I was looking at 2inx4in 14ga wire fence, but I feel like that size hole may be too large and predators might be able to get through. I am now looking at 1x1in but it is 16 guage, I think that would do okay at keeping things out. The only things we have here are possums, raccoons, and foxes (as well as squirrels which I hear could hard the chicks). Allot of the stall already has 1x1 chain link as well as a wooden wall. Any thoughts?

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I'm relocating my chickens to an old horse stall for more room (just at night) and I just need to seal it up, especially for the chicks. I was looking at 2inx4in 14ga wire fence, but I feel like that size hole may be too large and predators might be able to get through. I am now looking at 1x1in but it is 16 guage, I think that would do okay at keeping things out. The only things we have here are possums, raccoons, and foxes (as well as squirrels which I hear could hard the chicks). Allot of the stall already has 1x1 chain link as well as a wooden wall. Any thoughts?

I would go with 1/2 inch HC at least 19 gauge. If you can afford it go with the 15 gauge HC. This would likely keep any rodents out of the coop.

 

[ZooAtHome]

I used 1/2 inch, 19 gauge hardware cloth for my coop and run. I am hoping it will keep out everything except for mice. The 2"x4" fence wire you mentioned will allow your chicks to escape and weasels, rats and squirrels to get in. It will also allow raccoons to reach through and grab your chickens/chicks. Raccoons will kill and eat chickens through a fence, if they are able.

 

[paneubert]

As others have said, even 1 by 1 is still too large to keep out MANY of the smaller predators. The rule is that if it is bigger than their skull, they can get in. Which for a 1 by 1 pattern includes a lot of predators. Half inch square is the gold standard of chicken protecting size for fence/mesh/ventilation covers/etc...

 

[PirateGirl]

chicks can/will escape through 2"x4" fencing, even when you think they look too big to fit through, the somehow find a way

 

[aart]

Allot of the stall already has 1x1 chain link as well as a wooden wall. Any thoughts?

1x1 chain link? Never seen that, most chain link is 2x2".

I'd use 1/2" HC...the 19 gauge is fine if properly attached.

 

[Dylan_Madigan]

Meant to say 1/2 by 1/2 that i was looking at, but the one chain link fence there is actually 1x1, but i'll go over that with 1/2x1/2.

Thank you

 

[Folly's place]

I have 1/2" hardware cloth, with 2"x4" woven wire over the lower 4', all attached to the framing with fence staples, and then1"x4" boards screwed in over that.
For safety at night, they can't be too protected!
Mary