Reconsider Effectiveness of Hardware Cloth

[centrarchid]

Images below of pen serving as roost placed on perimeter of property. Culprit ID not known for sure but I suspect it is a raccoon. Tail end of this likely two nights ago when dogs got into something that escaped to northwest (trailer court) where dogs cannot go.

Critter challenged hardware cloth from below rather than the much weaker poultry netting about 9 inches higher up. Likely because of convenient perch while trying to get in. Predator damaged itself leaving blood and scratch marks on wood. I can not tell if it chewed or tore through with hands, likely both used.

Always think in terms of layers, even when using the more resistant predator control measures. I have three layers at play here; hardware cloth, elevated pen and dogs although last are at less than half strength with raccoon killer gone.

 

[scottcaddy]

What size was your chicken wire?
Would a smaller weave of the hardware cloth be of any help or stronger?
I have seen similar damage in some of my wire, no dead noted.
Scott

 

[centrarchid]

What size was your chicken wire?
Would a smaller weave of the hardware cloth be of any help or stronger?
I have seen similar damage in some of my wire, no dead noted.
Scott

I do not know. I have the smaller weave stuff but it has not been so challenged. My guess is smaller weave will be tougher.

My chicken wire is the cheap stuff and I could rip through that with bare hands if motivated.

No dead here either, I doubt critter actually got in pen otherwise dogs would have had it cornered.

 

[centrarchid]

A qualifier. DO NOT STOP USING HARDWARE CLOTH.

 

[junebuggena]

That must have taken a raccoon all night. That is a lot of work for no reward. That's part of the reason to use hardware cloth. After a few tries, they will learn that it just takes too long to get through and move on to something easier.

 

[centrarchid]

I doubt it had all night but the hardware cloth does definitely slow getting in. The damage concept I think is sound.


Dogs out now chasing after something probing same area. Female dog making stuccoto warning bark indicating not knowing where foe is exactly.

 

[drumstick diva]

Thank goodness for hardware cloth - hope your dogs catch up with that critter... Maybe borrow a "blood"hound that can follow it's blood trail. Better his blood than any chickens.

 

[centrarchid]

Blood hound would have same problem my dogs have, it would not be welcome in the trailer court. It is very likely the critter dens under one of the trailers and having my dogs baying and trying to tear their way in is not looked upon favorably.

 

[Primo]

Good point about layering your defenses. After seeing my dogs chew through heavy gauge chain link to get out of their dog run, I know hardware cloth would be only effective in keeping the small critters out.
In your case, your best first defense is your dogs, but for others reading this thread who don't have them, get electric. Nothing better or cheaper for the small backyard chicken senario.

 

[centrarchid]

I have electric in two perimeters in field. Great-horned Owls are biggest headache there. Dogs also important in dealing with owls but roosting sites also important.


This winter electric will be put around pens currently being challenged to compliment efforts of dogs.