What's the best wire fencing?

[McGoo]

We're building a good sized portable coop that will be covered in wire. I've been looking in Lowe's and Home Depot and am wondering if it's best to use 1" x 1" vinyl coated metal wire. Is this better than the standard chicken wire?
I've got fox, raccoons, oppossums, and coyotes just waiting to get these gals and I want to protect them when I'm not home and at night. When I'm home they have a big area to roam around.
Also, I've got deer eating all of their feed. I can't keep them out of the yard.

I've got mesh fencing and poles around about 1/3 of an acre to keep the chickens in the area and now the deer are blasting through, breaking down the fencing and the chickens are walking down the lane.

Hoping for your experience and advice
Colleen

 

[greginshasta]

Most folks seem to agree that 1/2" hardware cloth is the way to go. Small enough holes to prevent predators from reaching inside or chicks poking their heads out, and strong enough to prevent larger critters from busting through.

 

[KingsCalls]

Don't use chicken wire. It is just not strong enough or small enough to keep predators out. Use 1"x1".....1"x1/2"...or 1/2"x1/2"......and yes the coated stuff works great and will last a little longer.

 

[TxChiknRanchers]

hardwarecloth is expensive so i'd suggest 1/2 inch hardware cloth 2 ft high and 2x3 welded garden wire over that and up to desired height! IMHO

 

[FrozenChicken]

I use stucco wire it is actually used in house construction it has square holes unlike traditional poultry wire. But it's cheap and very strong. I top my fences with cheaper poultry wire to keep hawks away from the hens.