Is chicken wire predator-proof?
No. Chicken wire keeps chickens in, but it does not keep predators out. The thin, twisted wire and wide holes let a raccoon reach through or tear it open, and a fox can chew or bend it. For real predator protection, use ½-inch PVC-coated hardware cloth instead, with a 2-foot dig-proof skirt around the base.
Why chicken wire fails
Chicken wire was made to fence birds in, not to hold predators out. The wire is thin and only twisted together, not welded, so it pulls apart. The hexagonal holes are wide enough for a raccoon to reach a full arm through and grab a bird against the mesh. Raccoons pull it open, foxes and coyotes chew and bend it, and weasels slip through the gaps.
Chicken wire vs. hardware cloth
| Chicken wire | ½" hardware cloth | |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Thin, twisted | Heavier gauge, welded |
| Hole size | 1–2" hexagons | ½" squares |
| Stops reach-through | No | Yes |
| Resists chewing / tearing | No | Yes |
| Keeps predators out | No | Yes |
What actually protects a flock
Every Triano Farms coop is built with ½-inch PVC-coated hardware cloth on the runs and windows, a 2-foot dig-proof skirt around the whole perimeter, and latches a raccoon can't work. That combination stops climbing, digging, and reaching predators. For the full breakdown, see how to predator-proof a coop in NJ.
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