How to attach Hardware cloth?

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MPLSHens

MPLSHens

In the Brooder
10 Years
Aug 5, 2009
20
3
24
Hi! I am building a semi-permanent coop and I need some suggestions for how to attach the hardware cloth. All the coops I have seen here have nice, straight, and tight cloth.

I have tried a staple gun, but I was just wondering if there were any other stronger/more durable suggestions.
 
I have made LOTS of different types of enclosures for bunnies, sugar gliders, chickens,etc. My dad taught me everything I know and I have tried everything, even those little v shaped nails....a good hardy staple gun is definitely the best way to go. BUT if you staple it on the inside, you should screw a small peice of border wood just over the edge of the hardware cloth so it it doesn't have sharp edges...plus that adds to the durability. Hope this helps!
 
It does, and thanks for the quick response!

Are there any benefits for securing it to the inside rather than the outside?
 
I use large flat washers and screws to secure the hardware cloth. It's pretty easy since I use a cordless drill. I space them about every 6 inches... with the wire either inside or outside. Plus, if for any reason I need to remove the wire, all I need to do is unscrew it.
 
I would secure the hardware cloth on the outside. If you think of a predator, like a racoon or a dog, pushing against it from the outside he would be pusing in the same direction as the fastener, which means he would less likely loosen the fastener.

If the hardware cloth was attached to the inside then the predator would be pushing against the staples and could push them out.

I've been building things for quite a while and most of the time my common sense leads me in the right direction... except those times when it doesn't.
big_smile.png


Miss Jenny
 
I also went with screws and washers attaching the hardware cloth to the entire outside of the run (it is a small run for only three hens). We have a nasty gang of thug-like raccoons in our area who I'm sure patrol nightly, as they regularly bend my bird feeders (ain't no squirrell could do that!) and growl at me if I come upon them in the yard at night. So even though I really like hardware cloth's anti-raccoon properties, if there is an "I Hate Installing Hardware Cloth" club I'll join it! I completely shredded a new pair of nice leather work gloves working with the stuff!
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