Hardware cloth for chicken run question

Looking for advice

Just getting started building my run, already have the coop and am very concerned with predators

What gauge Hardware cloth is recommended and what size 1/4" or 1/2" is best for the run and coop protection. Should I go back and put hardware cloth under the coop?

We used 19 gauge, 1/2" hardware cloth. We have many predators but haven't had any issues. We don't have hardware cloth under the coop ( built on the ground). For the run, we buried it about 18" around the perimeter.

thank you for your feedback it was helpful

Was your run not on the ground?

What's to keep predators from digging under the coop to get in.

jbudin2000 said:

thank you  for your feedback it was helpful

Was your run not on the ground?

What's to keep predators from digging under the coop to get in.

Click to expand...

The coop has a solid, wood floor. The attached run has hardware cloth buried on all four sides which includes the "wall" which is the back wall of the coop. If a predator digs under the coop to get into the run, it will meet hardware cloth buried 18" down.

Search for 'apron' here on BYC...instead of burying mesh.

@aart gave you a good suggestion. I have a hardware cloth "apron" around the perimeter of both my coop and my run. It works because critters who are intent on getting in don't have the sense to start digging 18 inches away from where they want to be and work their way over....they start as close to the fence as they can and then they hit that hardware cloth barrier. For that you can even use chicken wire rather than the more expensive hardware cloth, but that was a corner I didn't want to cut.

Mine goes out about 2 feet, and is anchored to the ground with landscape fabric staples, then runs up the fencing of the run as well. We were going to put flat rock over it, but the grass grows up through it so well you can't even see it. We can mow right up to the sides of the run, and that keeps hiding places for smaller critters down.

Does doing it that way work? Yep, it does. When our chickens first went out to the run, our English Setter Molly got way too excited. She hustled up and down that run and then decided to dig. She broke and bloodied a toenail and came away limping. She shot the chickens a dirty look over her shoulder and laid the total blame on them - and she never bothered the chickens again, even if they were free ranging. She associated the "owie" with the chickens. Stoopid dog!

I use both the buried and apron method. I have a tractor that has a 24" apron of 1" chicken wire all around. My big coop/run employs both apron of 18" heavy duty pvc coated wire shelves( yep got creative) and chainlink fence 12" buried on all sides that meet neighbors property.

I like both just the same but the apron method is a lot less work on me and stops all the same predators so far
( knock on wood)