Plastic hardware cloth?

[KenCoesta]

Ok, so I've read up on hardware in the various threads, so I went to check it out - EXPENSIVE!
Total sticker shock!
I'm standing there doing the geometry and adding it all up - ZOINKS!!!

So, now I'm looking at the other fence products at Lowe's.
A couple of the plastic meshes seemed pretty tough, but I'm not a hungry critter (at the moment).

Well, I don't really have a critter problem, actually.
I know they are around, but I've never seen possums or coons in our neighborhood - at all, ever.
We do live in the county, but our backyard is fenced in and we've got 2 dogs in there.

I really don't know what how the dogs are going to react to the chickens.
I'm pretty sure they'll sniff and snoop and try to scratch their way in, but I'm also fairly certain that a few pops on the nose will end that.
Not positive, tho.

Ok, so now I'm looking at a "security vs. expense" situation.

Everyone seems certain that chicken wire is worthless and hardware mesh is the best ever.
Is there any room for middle ground?
Can a Spaniel-mix get through the lesser materials before my wife notices?
Do I really want to risk it?

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Raccoons, possums, squirrel and a dog will eat plastic fencing as an appetizer

ETA--Use 2x4 welded wire. Line the bottom 2 ft with chicken wire on the inside to keep critters from getting paws on your chickens

 

[newchicksnducks]

Quote:
That's the $64,000 question! Some people have used cheap chicken wire, and never had a problem. They have their birds in the coop at night, and never had a daytime problem. Other's have had predators break into what they thought was a secure coop...

Security vs. expense - Only you can decide what your level of risk is. I have a secure wooden coop, 2x3 welded wire fence w/netting on top, soon to be replace w/more welded wire. I lost 2 hens, one to fox and one to hawk. The netting is a temporary secuirty measure against the hawk and to some extent the fox as it climbed the fence and went over top. We'll soon be adding a couple strands of electric wire to be a deterent to that, and the welded wire roof will be stronger than the netting is. Only you can decide what is best for your setup.

 

[patandchickens]

You can never guarantee there won't be loose dogs, or *your own* dogs in an unattended moment. Dogs will go right through that plastic mesh without even slowing down. Ditto for raccoons and possums, which you may not SEE much around your place but believe me there are plenty THERE in Tennessee and they DO sometimes hunt before dark.

If you want to save money, IMHO the best way is to use 2x4 welded wire for your run, or something like that (nothing larger-mesh, though!) and apply smaller meshed material on the bottom 2-3'. Even plastic mesh is of reasonable use for that bottom reinforcement, since with the stronger wire behind it it needn't keep predators themselves out so much as keep their arms out and chicken heads IN.

This is still not *as* safe as a run that is fully 1x1 mesh with a predatorproof roof or top... but it is a WHALE of a lot better than a run whose fence is actually *made of* chickenwire or plastic mesh.

JMHO, good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[elmo]

Browse a little in the Predators and Pests section of this forum. You'll read a lot of stories about dogs killing chickens, raccoons pulling apart chicken wire and chewing through plastic. You have to decide the level of risk you're willing to accept, and how you would feel if you have to clean up the mess after a predator attack.

I think CoyoteMagic's suggestion is a sensible one. The heavier gauge fencing is strong, chewproof, and you can reduce the possibility of a predator reaching through the larger openings by wrapping the bottom with something that has smaller openings...maybe even using the plastic stuff down there.

 

[lorriemaxx]

I'm still in the building stages too. I'm planning to build the run with some leftover landscape timbers on the bottom. I'm going to put 2 X 4 welded wire on the outside of the timbers, and chicken wire on the inside - that will space the two fences about 3" - 4" apart. I'm hoping the double layer will keep critters out and chicken heads in! I had the same sticker shock reaction to the hardware cloth that you did, so this was my compromise. I got the chicken wire off craigslist, so it was pretty cheap, but I know it is not enough to keep the dogs/coyotes out.

 

[KenCoesta]

Well, heck!
I kinda knew the answer, but I was hoping there was a less expensive solution.
Oh wait, there is - Don't have chickens!
But I do, so better protect 'em! ^___^;

 

[Mervin]

Just curiosity, is just me, or does there seem to be general distaste for electric fencing on BYC? I've been considering whether 2" x 4" welded wire with a hot wire around the bottom at about 5-6" inches would keep out daytime predators. Heck, fence wire is cheap so I might even add a couple of strand at the top and in the middle too. At night, I intend to keep them in a secure coop. So, I really think it's the daytime nasties I most concerned with. Especially when were not around. Ariel protection is a whole other problem though.

 

[RocketDad]

Many municipal codes specifically forbid the use of electric fencing.

 

[elmo]

I considered electric fencing, but I was worried about zapping our elderly Boston Terrier one night when he gets up and goes outside to pee.