What size wire for bottom of chicken tractor for bantams?

[lceh]

We're constructing a tractor for our half-dozen bantams, and taking every measure we can to prevent predator attacks. I want to put wire on the bottom to prevent tunnelling, and minimize damage to the lawn. What size/type of wire is small enough to deter predators, but large enough that our bantys can scratch a bit in the grass? The sides will be 1/2" hardware cloth secured with screws and washers to keep out the coons. We do plan to lock the girls in the house part at night.

Thanks!

 

[Harley's girl]

I don't wire on the bottom of mine. That way they can scratch and weed my garden. I suppose you could use any size.

 

[CTChickenMom]

I'd use the same 1/2" hardware cloth on the bottom. They can still peck through it and eat grass. Anything less and coons and opossums could grab through it and try to grab a chicken. That said, I think the predators you need to worry about are nocturnal and if you lock them in at night, you won't need to worry about a bottom. You may want to put stakes in the ground when you move it to keep day time critters from lifting or moving it.