Wire Size Question

[Blue Eager]

I'm converting a portion of my chain link fence into a coop. My question is; can a skunk or a raccoon make it through a chain link fence?

Thanks

 

[rosemarythyme]

A raccoon can definitely reach in and pull a chicken through.

 

[Blue Eager]

Should I place heavy gauge chicken wire on it as well?

 

[LDSmama]

Should I place heavy gauge chicken wire on it as well?

Chicken wire is very easily pulled apart/torn by raccoons. All it is good for is keeping chickens in. Hardware cloth (1/2") is better.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Hardware cloth or welded wire no wider than 1/2" will keep out smaller pests like rodents, and help prevent predators like coons from reaching in. If you can't/don't want to cover the entire chain link with smaller hole wire, cover the bottom few feet, as that's where the chickens would be.

 

[Blue Eager]

Great sound advise & thank you!

What about the skunks? I hear they can make it through very small spaces.

 

[jthornton]

I know for sure an opossum can go through a chain link fence. A photo of the setup would help.

JT

 

[lazy gardener]

Unless you make a complete envelope of hardware cloth, it will not be rodent or weasel proof. Many folks keep a kennel covered with netting, and run a skirt + a perimeter about 2' high of hdw cloth around their kennel runs.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have 2x4 inch welded wire fence and large grey squirrels fit through, so a skunk could fit.
I would get 1x2 welded wire to keep out skunks.
Rats could fit through. GC

 

[Ridgerunner]

Many things like raccoon, possum, fox, bobcat, and skunk can climb over a chain link fence. Many things can squeeze under a chain link fence if the ground is not flat without digging and some dig. Some critters like raccoons can reach a paw through an opening and grab a handful of chicken. The risk is greater at night if the chicken is sleeping next to the fence but there is a little risk during the day. Some critters can squeeze through the openings, which ones and what age depends on the size of the openings. I'm not sure if all chain link fencing on the planet has exactly the size openings or not. Gates are sometimes weak spots as far as openings.

Chain link can be the basis for a great coop. It's strong enough that anything smaller than a bear cannot tear it apart. But there are potential weaknesses, just like any other materials you might use. The heavier the gauge and the smaller the mesh openings the better the wire is but even most hardware cloth can be torn by big dogs or an old boar raccoon. A lot of the time the weakness is not the wire but how it is attached.

The bigger the run the more challenging and expensive it can be to make it totally predator proof. Some of that depends on what critters you are protecting against too. if you have something already photos might help us offer suggestions. If you are in the planning stage tell us what you plan.

I use a philosophy of providing a highly predator-resistant run during the day and locking them in a highly predator-proof coop at night. It has worked pretty well for me but there are risks. In spite of what you may hear, practically any critter can and often do hunt during the day but the risk is greater at night when you don't have human activity to keep them away.

My recommendations will probably include an apron to stop anything from squeezing or digging under. You can use cheaper chicken wire (the smaller the openings the better) to reinforce the lower area to stop most things that can squeeze or reach through the chain link openings, that will stop most things. A smaller mesh hardware cloth will give you more protection but it is more expensive. You might just put that around the bottom 18" or so to stop most critters though some things can climb. If your chickens sleep in the run at night, you might want to put some smaller mesh next to the ends of the roosts so nothing can reach through. You might decide to line the entire run with an extra layer of small mesh wire.

If you have a top on the climbing critters are not an issue. You need to be able to walk under any top of a run, including any cross bracing or supports. A large run is harder to roof than a smaller one. Depending on where you are you might consider snow or ice load. Leaves from nearby trees can get pretty heavy when wet and holding up snow or ice. A sloped solid roof is good but you can use wire.

That's enough typing for now. Good luck!