What sized mesh for chicken run??

[amelia123]

Hi Everyone!!

I'm going to start building my coop soon, and am wondering what sized wire mesh to use....Should I use hardware cloth?? Do I have to use the hardware mesh all the way up, or can I just line the bottom a couple of feet so that the predators can't grab the chickens? How high should the fencing go up?? Should there be a top to the run so that predators can't fly down into the coop and get the chickens??? ANY tips are appreciated!! Thanks so much!!!

 

[PapaChaz]

I think about the most common answer you're going to get is hardware cloth is definitely more secure than most other options. For the run, 1/2" mesh, 19 gauge. You can order it online much cheaper than you can buy local, unless you have someone close by that has some overstock they just need to move.

as for height of run, make it tall enough to walk in so you can get in to do whatever you will (eventually) need to do. My last run, I built 4 ft tall. Plenty of room for the chickens, not so much for me when I needed to clean or move something or retrieve that stray egg. Either bend/stoop over (bad on the back) or crawl around on my hands and knees in the chicken poo.....

this is why my new just built run is 6 1/2 ft tall.

As for covering the top of the run, I have used welded wire dog fence over the top of a run. As long as it's attached and secured well all around the edges, and it's tall enough a coon can't reach in and grab a chicken, it's good enough to keep predators out. BUT smaller birds can get in, and they can carry mites/lice and definitely will help the chickens eat if you have food outside!

You'll find plenty of runs through this site that have chicken wire on top. I just don't trust chicken wire to keep most predators OUT that really wants to get in.

Good Luck!

 

[amelia123]

I think about the most common answer you're going to get is hardware cloth is definitely more secure than most other options. For the run, 1/2" mesh, 19 gauge. You can order it online much cheaper than you can buy local, unless you have someone close by that has some overstock they just need to move.

as for height of run, make it tall enough to walk in so you can get in to do whatever you will (eventually) need to do. My last run, I built 4 ft tall. Plenty of room for the chickens, not so much for me when I needed to clean or move something or retrieve that stray egg. Either bend/stoop over (bad on the back) or crawl around on my hands and knees in the chicken poo.....

this is why my new just built run is 6 1/2 ft tall.

As for covering the top of the run, I have used welded wire dog fence over the top of a run. As long as it's attached and secured well all around the edges, and it's tall enough a coon can't reach in and grab a chicken, it's good enough to keep predators out. BUT smaller birds can get in, and they can carry mites/lice and definitely will help the chickens eat if you have food outside!

You'll find plenty of runs through this site that have chicken wire on top. I just don't trust chicken wire to keep most predators OUT that really wants to get in.

Good Luck!

Hmmm...Ok thank you very much!!