Solitary chicken - need advice

[Redwing]

I bought a chicken house and run off of ebay, the run has come in useful for chicks outside on a warm day or for hens being moved etc.. so we have used it a lot but never as a permenant run because it has chicken wire on it rather than weldmesh

 

The run had some spilled food in it which I didn't think too much about however today I noticed that the chicken wire had been chewed through and a hole had been made in the side of the run, I am assuming the damage was done by a rat trying to get to the food

 

So take warning, chicken wire will not keep rats or foxes away from your chickens! Its not coincidence that most people on here recommend weldmesh so to anyone looking to build an economy run my advice is spend the money on proper mesh and save money elsewhere!

[Space Chick]

Thanks RedWing,

 

Timely advice as I am planning my WIR.

[Cooks]

sound advice Tasha

[The Dogmother]

Thanks for bringing that up Tasha - I always counsel against using chicken wire for that reason. It's fine for keeping chooks OFF things, but not intended as safe for keeping predators out.

[chickencam]

Worth knowing thanks, because we are looking into building a run to fit down the side of the house for future new girls.

[Ygerna]

I had a conversation only yesterday with a neighbour about how Chicken Wire is completely useless for keeping chickens safe.

[Angels4]

Would 19gauge wire mesh work? I've got big plan and want the girls to be safe.

[The Dogmother]

Would 19gauge wire mesh work? I've got big plan and want the girls to be safe.

 

Errr, not familiar with the figures Mark - do you have a photo of it?

[Redwing]

Would 19gauge wire mesh work? I've got big plan and want the girls to be safe.

 

19 gauge is fine, just make sure it is welded mesh 19 is the minimum you would want and the gauge that is on my run, 16 is great if you can get it (and afford it!)

[sandyhas3chucks]

hills of Devon. price dif not that huge.