I was wondering how big of a hole it takes for a coon or a possum to get through?

[Chicken Bff]

I am using 2 inch by 4 inch wire for the fence and I have 1 and a 1/2 inch by 2 foot for the vent. Could you tell me if that is too big thanks in advance.

 

[ChickenLover200]

I use wire like that and my chickens are alive
Not sure about the vent tho

 

[junebuggena]

If you can fit a few fingers, a coon can get a whole arm in.

 

[teach1rusl]

I use the 2x4" welded wire on my run (my birds are in a secure housing at night). You should add a layer of 1" chicken wire or 1/2" hardware cloth around the LOWER 18-24" of your run, to prevent reach-ins (by snout if dog or hand/arm pulling a chickens head through if raccoon). If your chickens roost in the run at night (rather than inside a housing), then smaller wire needs to be tacked on along those roosts if the roosts are within arms reach of the run walls (or ceiling).

If the ventilation is up high in the housing, then I wouldn't worry too much about wiring 1.5".

I wanted to add that we've had two baby raccoons on top of our run (set our security lights off), but they did not get through the 2x4 welded wire. I've never seen adults here - they are much more discreet/under the radar in their wanderings - I see the droppings, but never the animal.

 

[ChickenLover200]

I use the 2x4" welded wire on my run (my birds are in a secure housing at night).  You should add a layer of 1" chicken wire or 1/2" hardware cloth around the LOWER 18-24" of your run, to prevent reach-ins (by snout if dog or hand/arm pulling a chickens head through if raccoon).  If your chickens roost in the run at night (rather than inside a housing), then smaller wire needs to be tacked on along those roosts if the roosts are within arms reach of the run walls (or ceiling).

If the ventilation is up high in the housing, then I wouldn't worry too much about wiring 1.5". 

I wanted to add that we've had two baby raccoons on top of our run (set our security lights off), but they did not get through the 2x4 welded wire.  I've never seen adults here - they are much more discreet/under the radar in their wanderings - I see the droppings, but never the animal.

 

[Chicken Bff]

the vent is arounf 5 ft up is that high enough thanks for the responces

 

[teach1rusl]

the vent is arounf 5 ft up is that high enough thanks for the responces

If the vent is well above the roosts where the chickens will sleep at night you will be fine.

 

[ChickenLover200]

 
the vent is arounf 5 ft up is that high enough thanks for the responces

 If the vent is well above the roosts where the chickens will sleep at night you will be fine.

thumbsup

 

[junebuggena]

The main concern is not how high from the ground the vent is. It's how high up from the roost it is. Height off the ground is not really a consideration, due to the fact that raccoons are very good climbers. The question is, can a raccoon reach far enough into the coop to grab a roosting chicken? Also, when using wire with such large openings, rats, weasels, minks, and the like become a concern as well.