4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[katiew7103]

Hello there, I am new to this site but hope someone out there will be able to help me. I am shortly to get my chickens and my husband is planning the run ( i already have my coop). Can anyone tell me the type of wire I should be using i.e. is there a minimum/maximum gage and also what about the size of holes in the wire, surely I don't want my chooks to be able to put their head through or worse still Mr Fox to be able to chew the wire. Can anybody help please. Katie

[The Dogmother]

You will need to use weldmesh, not chicken wire.

 

This sorta stuff:

 

 

Chicken wire is fine for keeping them off the garden, but no good for keeping predators out. Have a look at the run inspirations thread here and the WIR thread

[sjp]

inch by inch not smaller than 16 gauge hills of Drvon is the best place to get it from

[katiew7103]

My husband wants to order this before 5, do you happen to know the size of the holes, we are unsure what size to go for.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Welcome to the forum, Katie . Hope he's not ordered it yet . Here's a thread about the size of weldmesh someone used (3 posts down).

[The Dogmother]

They need to be about 1.5cm

 

Hills of Devon are good online. Much cheaper than B&Q and the other DIY sheds.

[katiew7103]

Thankyou thats very helpful.Did you mean Hills of Devon, do they have awebsite address?

[Egluntyne]

**Hills of Devon**

[katiew7103]

Found them, thanks. They are alot cheaper, we are almost suspicious! One other question, do you think my run needs a roof I wasn't planning on putting one on as the area is quite enclosed but if it is recommended would corrugated plastic roofing be suitable, could I think about perhaps roofing part of it?

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I would say almost definitely. Foxes can scale pretty high walls/fences and also your run would soon get soggy and smelly if rain could get in . Have you decided on what you'll use on the floor?

[katiew7103]

Do you mean on the floor of the WIR? or the coop itself.

[Redwing]

I used Hill fo Devon 19 gauge weldmesh with holes 1 inch x 1 inch

 

Hills of Devon are very good and the delivery is free, I have had 4 rolls of wire off of them and have been pleased with the service

 

A roof is a must really unless you plan to have an electric fence enclosure even if the roof is just weldmesh (mine is weldmesh covered with waterproof corrugated plastic sheets)

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Do you mean on the floor of the WIR? or the coop itself.

 

Yes, the floor of the WIR . Loads of us use horse bedding as it's very absorbant and really good for drying out poos and making them disappear .