Are the holes in 2x4 welded wire fence too big to be safe?

[lulumammato2]

I live in the city and i'm expanding my coop since I quickly found out I wanted more than 3 chickens. I bought a small coop with 1x2 welded wire fence but all i can find at the stores is 14 gage 2x4 but i'm concerned it may let predators in, any advice?

 

[glisson_family_farms]

i just got some 2x4 wield fence if scared u can always cover up the holes with wood that you think my let the critters in
i am still new and learning from my mistakes but at lest i am learning lol

 

[Bi0s]

could always go over it with some hardware cloth

 

[terry's chicks]

I have the same fencing running all around the 30"x30" run but only 4' high was dog kennel, we are going raise it a few more feet higher and then put electric fence around the exterior, then cover the pen with bird netting. Sounds like a lot but we live in the woods with a lot of predators, saw foxes the other night. Plus lots of Hawks, racoons etc. I'd rather not lose the chickens and then do all this. I am going to give the a really good ZAP and hope they don't come back.

 

[GeneJordan]

I am putting 2x4, and a second layer of chicken wire for smaller critters. I also am putting electric for the diggers.

I will use all this till my electromagnetic force field comes in from China (got it on eBay for 99 cents with free shipping)...

That last line was a joke btw...

 

[happyhensny]

Quote:
Nice.

 

[snazzyboots]

I'm building my coop this weekend and I also live in the city. We have stray cats, rats, raccoons, and hawks that I know of. I am putting hardware cloth over any opening and on the whole run with a 2 ft skirt all around. I think we will be safe. Good luck with yours

 

[nivtup]

We have lost a few birds through 2 x 4 welded fencing.

Well, we have lost part of a few birds that way.

 

[debid]

My folks have rabbit fencing so it has small holes at the bottom and 2x4 at the top. They found an opossum stuck in the fence... on his way OUT, not in. I'd bet a skunk could get through as well since they're similarly sized.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I use 1/2" hardware cloth on all coop openings. It keeps out rats, raccoon paws that can dismember and the smallest species of weasel.

If rats are a concern for a small city coop and run, I'd also use it on the run. It will be a long term investment that will last for years. I would definitely put something with smaller openings along the bottom portion of the run wall, so chickens can't poke their heads out and raccoons or hawks can't reach through to kill. Cats can even reach through to get chicks. All of those things have happened to other people.