Predator Fence Calculator: the complete guide
Almost every predator loss traces back to one of three gaps: a dig under the fence, a climb over the top, or half inch of mesh that was actually two inches. This calculator sizes the hardware cloth, the buried apron and the posts for a run built to keep things out rather than keep birds in.
How the predator fence calculator works
- Wall material is the perimeter times fence height, split into courses based on the roll width you can buy.
- The dig apron is a skirt of hardware cloth laid flat on the ground and pinned, extending outward from the base. Twelve to 24 inches stops foxes, dogs and raccoons digging in.
- Apron material is added as extra courses of the same roll, so the total is one order.
- Posts sit every 8 feet, and ground staples every 18 inches hold the apron down until grass grows through it.
- Electric strands, if used, run the perimeter once per strand.
How to use it
- Measure the run perimeter in feet.
- Choose an apron width. Eighteen inches is the usual compromise.
- Set the fence height and the hardware cloth roll width you can buy.
- Add electric strands if you have bears, big cats or persistent dogs.
Step by step examples
A 60 foot perimeter run, 6 foot fence, 18 inch apron
With 3 foot hardware cloth that is two wall courses plus one apron course, so about 180 linear feet.
Adding two electric strands
One at 6 inches and one at 12 inches off the ground, 120 feet of wire in total, which stops climbing and digging predators before they touch the mesh.
Recommended values
| Item | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mesh size | 0.5 inch hardware cloth | A weasel passes through 1 inch mesh |
| Apron width | 18 to 24 inches | Laid flat, pinned, not buried deep |
| Buried alternative | 12 inches down, 6 inches out | |
| Fence height | 6 ft, or fully covered | |
| Wire gauge | 19 gauge or heavier | |
| Post spacing | Every 8 ft |
Common mistakes
- Using poultry netting instead of hardware cloth on the lower fence.
- Skipping the apron because the soil is hard. Predators dig at the fence line, where it is softest.
- Leaving gaps over 1 inch at gates and where the coop meets the run.
- Screwing mesh on with staples only. Use washers or fender strips so it cannot be pulled loose.
Frequently asked questions
How deep should I bury a predator fence?
A flat apron 18 to 24 inches wide on the surface works better than burying, because diggers follow the fence line down and hit the wire.
What mesh keeps weasels out?
Half inch hardware cloth. Weasels and rats pass through anything larger, including standard chicken wire.
Do I need an electric fence for chickens?
Not usually. Add one or two low strands if you have bears, coyotes or dogs that keep testing the run.
Related calculators
What next?
Free tools that pair well with this calculator.