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? about attaching chickenwire/hardware cloth..etc staples tacks, jeez!

Discussion in 'Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance' started by akanalynnn, May 15, 2008.

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  1. May 15, 2008 Post #1 of 9
    akanalynnn

    akanalynnn In the Brooder

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    Apr 30, 2008
    Portland OR/ Vancouver WA
    So I noticed the niche for coops for 2-3 chicken-coops is getting bigger! lol

    I found a young college guy on craigslist in the area who was building cute little minimalistic coops (but with all the necessisties) for a great price... Most even had cool things like a sliding window/door, cute paint jobs, etc. I'm having him make me a basic one, but I've cooerced him into building a run, jutting about 5 feet in front of the coop (which is 3 ft tall, and 2 ft off the ground on stilts. The space under the coops legs will be utlized in the run as well.., so a 3x8 run for 2 chickens.

    However, I told him not to mess with the expense of chickenwire (because I think hardware cloth might be better?)


    Basically, he's building the frame, and i'll attach the wiring material of my choice.

    How do I do this? Do I use hardware staples? I mean, how do I attach it, and what kind of material to you recommend. I live downtown, and have a 7 ft privacy fence, so theres no bears or anything [​IMG]

    Oh, and this nice guy is doing all this for 180 bucks! how sweet of a deal is that? The coops are really cute too!

    Thanks for input
     
  2. May 15, 2008 Post #2 of 9
    mangled

    mangled Songster

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    We just use one of those heavy duty staplers, with 1/2 inch staples. I think the size is T50?

    Buy several packs of staples. You will use them all.

    Em
     
  3. May 15, 2008 Post #3 of 9
    Buff Hooligans

    Buff Hooligans Scrambled

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    Here's what my hubby did:

    [​IMG]
     
  4. May 15, 2008 Post #4 of 9
    akanalynnn

    akanalynnn In the Brooder

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    Apr 30, 2008
    Portland OR/ Vancouver WA
    there's no pic!

    Is there some kind of staple gun? is it spendy? what is the best way to cut the wire? Just reg'lar old wire cutters?
     
  5. May 15, 2008 Post #5 of 9
    Buff Hooligans

    Buff Hooligans Scrambled

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    My computer shows the pic under my sentance... maybe it's too big? I made it big so the screw & washer detail would show... Anyway, my hubby used a screw with a washer around it to make sure it would hold the hardware cloth.
     
  6. May 15, 2008 Post #6 of 9
    arlee453

    arlee453 Songster

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    You'll need a staple gun that can handle the size staples you need. They even make electric ones that make the job very quick - resist the temptation to go super cheap on the staple gun - your hand will thank you for it after a while. The more expensive models are much easier to use.

    Also invest in a good set of tin snips. Again, they make cutting wire a breeeze.

    A rasp file can be useful too to file down any sharpies left over after you cut the wire for any areas where the chicken may come into contact with the sharp ends of the wire.
     
  7. May 15, 2008 Post #7 of 9
    ChickenWing

    ChickenWing Songster

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    I like to use electrical staples, the kind for tacking electric wires into studs in houses. You just pound them in with a hammer, and they have great holding power.
     
  8. May 15, 2008 Post #8 of 9
    ticks

    ticks Pheasant Obsessed

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    I used thick zip ties about 4-5 on each post (still under construction) [​IMG]
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 15, 2008
  9. May 16, 2008 Post #9 of 9
    firebugfab

    firebugfab In the Brooder

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    Depending on what you are attaching it to, I agree with Ticks, zip ties work GREAT! The base of my off the ground chicken house is all steel so I zip tied chicken wire to it. The house itself is wood, so I just grabbed my handy dandy staple gun and went to town. Now for a heavy 1/4" hardware cloth, I like the screw and washer idea, but that's going to get a little more expensive.
     

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