Ataching hardware cloth advice

[wannabchick]

http://www.k9kennelstore.com/documents/kennels.html
Thinking of purchasing this run for my chicks this spring

How do I attach the hardware cloth to it, what size hardware as in I noticed they come in different sizes, and lastly where do you purchase yours from?
Oh and one more question,

Should I have the kennel covered on top completely, or just order one top so the other half is open, and just add netting on the side, or would you advise me to have two of the tops on it . So the run is fully covered?..By having the two awnings on it, no sun then.. Or leaving one side without the awning and adding netting over that section?

I noticed the size I want to get would need two awnings to fully cover the run, is awnings such as what this site offers good to keep hawks from nose diving

Hope iam explaining myself correctly.

Yes, we have hawks like crazy ....

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Wanna, here's a pic of our hardware cloth enclosed run. We got the hardware cloth in rolls special-ordered from our local hardware store. It was pricey but so worth it. We have a small flock, so any loss would have been unacceptable.

I will look in my Yahoo Flickr to see if I still have a closeup pic of the washer thingies my DH used to anchor it to the support beams...

We dug down a foot around the sides and started the hardware cloth covering from there. We've had that system in place for three years now and have NEVER had a problem with predators.

 

[chics in the sun]

Since Hawks or other birds of prey are an issue, cover the run completely. They have been known to get in anyway they can! If you are in a warm area, the more shade the better. I got my hardware cloth at Home Depot, but I don't remeber the size - 1/4 inch holes, maybe? Make sure it is too small for a little racoon hand to get through!
I used roofing nails to secure the hardware cloth - worked great with the big disks holding it down.

 

[Chicken Boo]

We used 1/4 inch for the lower part of the run wall (raccoons cannot get their little hands through that) and 1" x 2" for the top part of the sides. We put chicken wire on the roof.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=334568&p=1

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Here's the best pic I could find of the washers that DH used to secure the hardward cloth to wood.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14442211@N05/2085948645/

 

[gmendoza]

He asked about securing it to"metal mesh fencing,not wood.

Use wire or even the plastic wire ties to tie the hardware cloth to the metal. Teadious,but will work.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Quote:
Yeah, you're right. Oh well.

 

[gmendoza]

Quote:
Yeah, you're right. Oh well.

I know,most of us use wood posts. As I do as well. No harm,no fowl.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

I use thin gauge galvanized steel wire (what the hardware cloth is made of) and "sew" it to stuff like chainlink, cattle panels, or anything else I can't easily use screws to secure it with. It can be made to look neat and it's very strong.

 

[Dixieangeln]

We used staples and staple gun to attach the hardware cloth to the wood posts