Attaching hardware cloth in the run

[lcurtiss]

I am just starting to build my run. I know I shouldn't use regular staples to attach the hardware cloth but what about ones that are 2" long. I was thinking of using them every where and then ever so often also using a screw with a washer. Would these staple work?

 

[Folly's place]

We used the 3/4 inch staples, and then screwed 1x4 or 1x2 boards over the hardware cloth and woven wire fencing, attached with longer staples.

Mary

 

[ChickenMammX4]

We used screws and fender washers then covered with 1" x 4" wood strips.

 

[gardenhack]

We are trying to attach hardward cloth to an enclosure surrounding berry bushes to keep birds out. We are using some plastic and some metal hardware cloth, based on what scraps I have available.

An attempt to use staples and an air gun with air compressor resulted in the staples cutting through the plastic when 40 lbs pressure was used, and not going in far enough with 30 lbs. pressure.

(1) Any recommendations for how many lbs pressure to use and what kind of staple?

(2) As an alternative, I'm reading some tips here and considering using washers and screws, or just using scews and then screwing 1x 2 strips of wood over the hardware cloth. Comments?

(3) Any recommendations for getting the cloth tightly stretched?

 

[Folly's place]

Plastic wrap of any sort isn't going to keep out predators; don't bother with it. Hardware cloth is best! We pounded in 3/4" or 1" fence staples with a hammer (low tech but effective) and then screwed 1x4" boards over that. See photo above. Nobody has breached our hardware cloth and woven wire fencing!
Mary

 

[gardenhack]

Plastic wrap of any sort isn't going to keep out predators; don't bother with it. Hardware cloth is best! We pounded in 3/4" or 1" fence staples with a hammer (low tech but effective) and then screwed 1x4" boards over that. See photo above. Nobody has breached our hardware cloth and woven wire fencing!
Mary

Thank you. For clarification, I didn't mean "plastic wrap". Some of the material is plastic hardware cloth, and some is metal hardware cloth. I don't have chickens, I'm just trying to keep birds off my blueberry bushes. Ideally, I'd like to keep rodents out but they can dig under or squeeze through anywhere, so I'm not attempting to keep them out.

 

[Folly's place]

I did think you meant that it was plastic 'hardware cloth', just didn't express myself well. I did think you were trying to protect chickens from predators, though.
Mary

 

[aart]

We are trying to attach hardward cloth to an enclosure surrounding berry bushes to keep birds out. We are using some plastic and some metal hardware cloth, based on what scraps I have available.

An attempt to use staples and an air gun with air compressor resulted in the staples cutting through the plastic when 40 lbs pressure was used, and not going in far enough with 30 lbs. pressure.

(1) Any recommendations for how many lbs pressure to use and what kind of staple?

(2) As an alternative, I'm reading some tips here and considering using washers and screws, or just using scews and then screwing 1x 2 strips of wood over the hardware cloth. Comments?

(3) Any recommendations for getting the cloth tightly stretched?

35psi?
or maybe 40psi and drive it thru a piece of thin cardboard(cereal box) to act as a washer.
How big are the framing members? Zipties might be an easier solution?

 

[OlympicChick]

@Folly's place, Are the 1x2 and 1x4 strips more for aesthetics or do you think they add more protection as well?

 

[Folly's place]

I think that the boards screwed into the framing do add extra support/ security, and make it more difficult for a big critter to pull things apart. It's a chicken coop, and sadly, aesthetics are lower on my list...
Mary