Lattice instead of fencing

[laughaha]

How strong is lattice- is the vinyl lattice stronger than the wooden lattice? I'm asking because of the other poster who used lattice instead of fencing for her chicken coop and I REALLY REALLY REALLY like the look of it but would not want to have to put wire mesh in addition wooden lattice cuz I think it would create cleaning headaches. I live in the country and know of at least one family of raccoons that come to my yard at night.

The latticed area was much shadier yet provided lots of ventilation as opposed to mesh fencing. I think this would work really well in the summer time to help keep critters cooler.

 

[elmo]

The lattice I've seen in the big home improvement stores is very flimsy: the wood is thin and the strips are sort of stapled together. I don't think it would be very difficult to pull it apart if I was hungry for what was behind it. I've not looked at the vinyl stuff, but again my concern would be how resistant something plastic is to teeth applied to its edge?

A lot depends on how you would use the lattice. If you're thinking of covering windows or vents in the coop with it, I'd say that's an awful risk. If you're thinking of using it in your run as more chicken containment than predator protection (your yard is fenced and you don't have roaming dogs to contend with) AND you plan to faithfully lock your chickens inside a secure coop every night, that's a quite different matter. Lots of people use chicken wire for their runs but lock their chickens in at night, and manage fine with this approach. Lattice can't be any worse than chicken wire!

You could try a middle ground, and use welded wire but the kind with the larger openings (say 2" by 4"). Then put up your lattice for looks and shade. The wire will keep your chickens safer if a dog does come around during the daytime. However, the openings in the lattice aren't small enough to stop "reach through" predation, so you probably will still want your chickens locked up tight at night.

 

[teach1rusl]

I agree with pretty much everything Elmo comment on...especially that you would certainly need to lock them up every night, as lattice would not be a predator deterant.

 

[sandiatonimarie]

I have to agree with everything the other two posters here have already said. Lattice alone is too flimsy to stand up to predators. Raccoons are smart and crafty as well as probably strong enough to take lattice apart. They could certainly get their paws in the lattice holes and grab at your chickens and injure them badly if not kill them outright.
I lived in northeastern PA for several years and in a rural area. Believe me, if you have raccoons, you probably have other predators that the chickens need protection from as well.

I know it would cost more money but if you really want the lattice, I'd use it to cover welded wire or hardware cloth so that your flock is protected.

 

[laughaha]

I have the welded wire (Flemish Giant Rabbits require HUGE cages so I always have a roll or two around) so it's not a money thing I just really loved the way it looked. How hard do you think it would be to get all the dirt/poo/feathers out from between lattice and mesh?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

For wooden lattice, there is regular grade and architectural grade, which costs significantly more, but is much sturdier. The htere is the plastic type, which is probably somewhere in between in sturdiness. There are also privacy and regular, whcih take into account the size of the openings. With regular sized openings, chicks can easily get through them; a smaller bantam could as well.

I have lattice on some of my coops, and there is screening behind the lattice. It is not at all difficult to keep clean. Hardwarecloth or cage wire will have larger openings than screen, so it might be a bit more challenging, but one thing you can consider is that if the wire is firmly attached for security, the lattice need not be. You can screw it in along the top and let the rest hang, allowing you to separate the two layers when you want to hose it down.

 

[laughaha]

Good idea about just screwing it at the top for ease of removal. Definitely telling DH about this idea!!!!

 

[Todd Springer]

Good idea about just screwing it at the top for ease of removal. Definitely telling DH about this idea!!!!

I would just be careful if doing this. If it can "flap" wind may be an issue

 

[janz70]

it will keep the chickens in but not a determined predator, if you dont have any preditors, make a fence with a top and bottom rail (perhaps even a middle) and fix it to that