How much space (in inches) does a raccoon need to enter a coop?

[robcourt]

Hi everyone. I read the FAQ and am sure a raccoon is killing my chicks. They are about 10 weeks old and I have lost three this week. I have raised them from hatching and I am devastated.
First, we have a large coop inside of my garage with a covered run. We have enclosed the coop in garden fencing, and reinforced most of that with chicken wire as well. I thought this thing was indestructable, but something is getting my birds and I feel so helpless.
I ask about the size because I just spent hours surveying every inch of that coop to try and figure out the weak spot. Is garden wire too large, do you think a nasty coon could squeeze through that? i wouldn't think so.
The other option - my husband roofed the run with corrugated plastic. It is nailed down, but I found two spots where the roof meets the garage. The walls of the garage are made of old pressed board material (built 1952) and some of it has warped in a 'wavy' fashion. Thus where the roof meets the wall, there is about a 3-4" gap at the widest, by my eyeballed estimation. Do you think the vermin could squeeze through there? My husband and I will be visiting the hardware store tonight to purchase more wire and cover that area, but I'm at a loss. We have already invested so much in this coop, my husband won't let me buy one of those "free standing" houses which appear to extremely secure.
Please, any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Adenium]

If a raccoon can't fit in there other predators can - and they can also grab chickens through chicken wire and either pull them through or get the head through and bite it off from what I've read.

Most here recommend 1/2" hardware cloth for this reason - chicken wire is for keeping chickens in, not for keeping predators out. Is the "garden wire" the 2x4" welded wire? That's supposedly stronger but leaves big gaps.

 

[robcourt]

yes adenium, it's the 2"x4". thank you very much for the info on the hardware cloth. i will look for that tonight at the store.

 

[Adenium]

Home Depot and Lowes carry it, but many have said they've found it cheapest at wayfair.com I think. For now, I'd get it wherever I could and at least patch up those gaps.

 

[Just reebok]

Hardware cloth is pricier - but well worth it IMHO. Good luck! I hope it stops the killings!! sorry for your losses!

 

[dainerra]

a full-grown coon can fit through a 4" square. Of course, a younger animal can fit through a much smaller hole. They are also very strong and can push things out of their way and stretch the hole to fit through.

 

[Adenium]

Aha. I knew someone would have a precise answer.

We just figured we'd cover the whole darn thing in hardware cloth.

 

[Loghousemom]

In one of the books I read it said a raccoon can grab a chicken through any 2 inch hole. But would probably be able to get fully inside with 4 inches!

I hope you get it figured out!

 

[Loghousemom]

Sorry, posted same thing twice!

 

[ChickcrazyCharlie]

If it can get it head through the hole it can squeeze through. But I'm not sure about a 2x4 hole? I have lost some from being pulled through the wire. Make sure the roost is not to close to the wire. I would leave at least 18 inches.