Zip ties strong enough to keep coons out?

[socks]

Hi, we are making a hoop style run with pvc and 1" hardware cloth (welded wire). When I found out what kind of washers I'd have to use to join the wire to itself we decided to go with zip ties as they are so easy to do and so much cheaper. As we have a neighbourhood coon I am concerned wether that critter can possibly gnaw or tear them apart. We were planning on using a lot of the ties but I guess it wouldn't take more than removing a couple to get it's body in the run.

I find those ties pretty darn strong but then again I don't have the determination of a coon. I sure would like to hear your experience on this. I did see something somewhere about 'j clips' which interested me but so far am drawing blanks with hardware/building stores....maybe they go by another name in Canada????

I have a couple of pics up of our run under construction and will put up another with the hardware cloth on so you can see what we are doing.

Any of your fine help greatly appreciated as some chicks have already lost toes to our inexperience and a coons persistence.

 

[EweSheep]

Im sorry but they can tear into zip ties.

 

[backdoorchicken]

i imagine they can chew right through zip ties

 

[briana1975]

I use old plastic baby food containers[hard plastic] in the live traps. They chew them up and eat them.

 

[socks]

o.k. that has scared the bejeepers out of me , so what about the J Clip things...does anyone know what they are normally used for so that I can figure out how to get them....or are they lacking in strength?????Really, really want to get this thing right but don't want to use staples and the washer combo I found would cost way too much (needed 2 different sized washers, one big enough to cover the 1" hole and the second to cover the bolt to fit into the big washer) about 70 cents per set and I would need hundreds as best I can figure.

 

[jessejames]

at any farm supply store TSC, farm co-op whatever you have around should sell clips for attaching fencing or wire to itself (this is what you want to do right?) you also would be well served by buying the pliers made to attach them too
i am sure the whole set up pliers and and 100s of clip would be under $30 and then new clips are fractions of a cent and you are set for life
as a builder i find it always better to get the RIGHT tool for the job the first time if possible
it will save you time and $ in the future

 

[EweSheep]

J clips will do fine and make sure it is the longer type, not the short stubby ones. And place them close together like every two inches or so. Just think coon and other predators!

 

[TreeHugger]

I use zip ties to hold the chicken wire together that runs over the top of my pen. I've been using them for years with "limited sucess". The only incident I've had with coons getting into my chickens in the last 5 years was a result of them breaking the zip ties.

If you decide to use them, here is my suggestion: Make sure you use the indoor/outdoor zip ties (they are normally black). The regular indoor zip ties will crack after a year of sun/rain/snow exposure. The outdoor/indoor ones hold up a lot longer, but after a while they can be easily snapped in two. I often inspect my pen to make sure everything is holding up.

 

[Violet22]

I guess I was lucky for 9 years, I used zip ties on my old coop. I did find when I just took it down, the white ones just popped off with a nudge, and the black ones I had to cut.
Wire or metal would be best, I was told to use hog pliers and hog rings, and the upholstery ones don't have sharp edges. I should have done that with the new setup, it just would have taken forever. I may go back and replace the zip ties after it's all set up.
And yes, I have raccoons, I don't know how many, but I see one all the time in the tree staring into my fish pond on my enclosed porch.

 

[Cara]

I guess you didn't see this thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=209766&p=1