wire enclosure question

[tarragon]

My hubby is in the early stages of coop construction. We are converting the A Frame swingset he built for our kids, adding an enclosed coop,a roof at the top of the A frame, and using wire fencing for the walls of the "yard" area (the swing set). In picturing the set up I foresee one problem that I haven't found any answers to on this site. It seems like it is most common and cost effective to use the welded wire fencing. We can't afford to enclose the whole thing with hardware cloth, and I know chicken wire won't keep out raccoons. So, how do you keep squirrels, mice and rats from entering the enclosure and having a buffet at the chicken feeder? The welded wire fence has pretty big squares.

 

[schellie69]

I used the welded wire then lined the lower part of the pen with hardware cloth so mice snakes ect couldn't get through it. hope this helps

 

[eastercreek]

Could you use the welded wire that is less expensive and then only run chicken wire around the inside lower portion of that? Ive seen pics where folks have used chain link fencing for runs, but attached chicken wire to the bottom two feet.

 

[patandchickens]

Put the feeder in the totally enclosed "house" part of the thing. You will NOT realistically be able to keep mice and rats out of the larger mesh enclosure, but *can* keep them outta the "house" part pretty well by closing the door at night (and yer rodents won't come feed too much during the day, especially not with bored chickens on guard

)

Then, with the chickens and their food being locked securely into the 'house' part every night without fail, use good quality 2x4 mesh for the whole structure, with hardwarecloth added to the bottom 2-3'.

Good luck have fun,

Pat