Use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire

Replace chicken wire with 1/2-inch galvanized hardware cloth on all coop and run openings. Chicken wire keeps chickens in but does not keep predators out — raccoons tear through it easily, and weasels and snakes pass right through the larger openings. Hardware cloth with 1/2-inch mesh stops everything from rats to raccoons.

Why It Works

Hardware cloth is welded galvanized steel wire that resists bending and tearing. The 1/2-inch mesh is small enough to block weasels (which can fit through openings as small as 1 inch) and rat snakes. Attach it with screws and washers rather than staples, since raccoons can pull stapled mesh away from wood framing.

Tips

• Use 19-gauge or heavier for maximum strength
• Cover windows, vents, and the floor of elevated coops
• Overlap seams by at least 2 inches and secure with hog rings or J-clips
• Wear heavy gloves when cutting and handling — edges are razor sharp