Wire mesh for Run

[NeuseWorks]

Just started a new coop for our 6 new little girls (2 Light Brahmas, 2 Gold Laced Wyandotte & 2 Araucanas). I am not going build an integrated run for it as I would for one of my customers coops. I intend to fence out a large run (8'x24') in part of our backyard for the girls. I see that a lot of people use chain link which has an opening of approx 3"x3". I've been considering using 2"x4" welded wire 4 feet tall with a net roof. This is not my ideal solution as I would use 1"x2" welded wire if I could find it locally. Is this sufficient or should I put 1" poultry mesh along the bottom 2 feet of the fence as an extra precaution against raccoons and such? Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Poison Ivy]

My run is chain link on one side and the other is 2x4 wire. Chain link was free so I made use of it. I have garden netting covering the chaink link where they roost in the daytime. Not had a problem using either. I don't have any babies that I keep in run either or that would cause a problem with them getting outside the run. Don't know if this helps you any but I used both. My run is 12x80 so I tried to get as much free material as I could.

 

[allen wranch]

Yes, poultry wire along the bottom would provide better protection.

 

[BeckyLa]

For my runs I use the 2x4 welded wire with 2' chicken wire around the bottom and deer netting over the top to keep out preditory birds. I haven't seen very many preditors around here and this has worked well for me.

 

[nightshade]

HI all our runs are chain link dog kennel pannels. I did put chicken wire aroudn the bottom of the peep pen so that they could not get out. But the big run where the full grown laying hens and their boys are does not have the chicken wire. Have had it that way a year and no problems with it yet.

 

[suburbanhomesteader]

In the FWIW category, yesterday I had canines (not sure if it was coyotes or dogs, but they were definitely canine tracks in the mud) jump the 5' fence into my back yard and attack the pullets (about 3-4 months) in my chicken tractor. It is made from 2x4 welded wire, and I thought it was predator proof. They tore holes in the wire like it was plastic netting! Fortunately, they (there were at least two) only killed one hen (and they ate virtually everything except her head, wingtips, and gizzard), but I will definitely not underestimate the power of a canine when I build their permanent run.