Quick Answer
For predator-proof livestock fencing, use 2x4-inch welded wire mesh for general predator exclusion, or 1x1-inch or 1x2-inch hardware cloth for securing chicken coops and small animal pens. Standard 6x6-inch field fence openings allow foxes, weasels, and young raccoons through — never use it as your only predator protection barrier.
Mesh Size Guide by Predator
| Predator | Minimum Mesh Size | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Raccoon (adult) | 3x3 inch | 2x4 inch or smaller |
| Raccoon (juvenile) | 1x2 inch | 1x1 inch hardware cloth |
| Fox | 2x4 inch | 2x4 inch + buried apron |
| Coyote | 4x4 inch or tighter | 2x4 inch + electric wire |
| Weasel/mink | 1x1 inch hardware cloth | 1x1 inch hardware cloth |
| Opossum | 2x4 inch | 2x4 inch |
| Dog | 4x4 inch | 2x4 inch + electric wire |
Hardware Cloth vs. Welded Wire
Hardware cloth (1x1 inch or 1x2 inch galvanized mesh) is the gold standard for chicken coop security. It excludes weasels, young raccoons, snakes, and rats. It's more expensive ($0.50–$1.50 per square foot) and less easy to work with than welded wire, but essential for high-predator-pressure environments.
Welded wire mesh (2x4 inch, 14-gauge) provides good general predator exclusion at lower cost ($0.20–$0.50 per square foot). It stops most foxes, coyotes, raccoons, and dogs. Add an electric wire at 6 inches height along the outside to prevent climbing over or digging under.
The Buried Apron
Digging is the primary failure mode for predator-proof fencing. Foxes, coyotes, and dogs dig under fence edges rather than climbing. A buried wire apron — extending 18 inches horizontally outward from the fence base, buried 4–6 inches deep — prevents most digging attacks. Alternatively, bury the fence bottom 12 inches into the ground and angle it outward at the bottom. This apron adds $0.30–$0.60 per linear foot in hardware cloth cost but dramatically increases effectiveness.
Our Recommendation
For chicken coops and small animal pens under regular predator pressure: 1x1 inch hardware cloth on all sides and the floor, with a buried skirt. For larger livestock pastures: 2x4-inch welded wire as the main barrier with an electric wire at 6 inches and 24 inches height. No mesh fence alone reliably excludes determined predators — the electric wire perimeter reinforcement is what makes predator fencing consistently effective.