What Type of Wire to Use in Run Area?

[redsix]

I'm gathering materials for a chicken tractor. For the chicken run, I was thinking about using welded wire with 2" by 4" openings on the sides and put chicken wire across the top. I realize that minks and weasels could get through the wire, but they usually aren't out during the day. Seems like using hardware cloth would be over kill.

 

[drewskimac]

If you live in an area with lots of coons, hardware cloth is underkill. I am dead serious. I used hardware cloth thinking that the 1 inch by 1 inch holes would keep everything out, heck no. I caught it on a game camera. Those sneaky little coons crept up while my quail were asleep in the run {(where it was cooler) and literally reached their paws through the inch by inch holes, and literally ripped the quail through the holes.

For a chicken tractor, however... I don't believe a coon could rip the chicken through, LOL. But they could most definitely rip their head through, yep... I've had that happen too. And as far as chicken wire... That stuff aint made to keep coons out, it's made to keep chickens in.

Anyways, as long as you have an area where the chickens can roost and the raccoons can't reach through to them you can use any sort of wire that is strong enough to keep a coon out. But I wouldnt be so sure about chicken wire. Honestly, what i've found is... raccoons WILL find a way in. It is most likely gonna take ya' a few modifications to outsmart those little buggers. It may take months, or even a couple years, but if there is a SINGLE weak spot, you might just have a big chunkof your flock wiped out one night... and the next night... and the next, until you find the weak spot. It all comes down to what works for YOU. Test it out.