Attaching hardware cloth to metal run: to drill or not to drill?

[MissGreenJeans]

Hey there, everyone! I’m attaching hardware cloth to a Rugged Ranch metal chicken run. I started using self-tapping screws and washers to affix the cloth, but I quickly noticed that the process was generating a bunch of tiny metal shavings that flew everywhere, including into the run area. I used a magnet to try and clean up, but there are just so many. (See pics.) Concerned that if I keep drilling, I’ll miss some, despite my efforts to collect them all, and the chickens will eat ‘em. I hear that’s bad news. I’ve got some UV-resistant zip ties I was also using, but I’m thinking they might not stand up to raccoons (we have a ton of those)? I got some metal zip ties, too, but I’m finding that those are hard to tighten enough to make the cloth taut all over. Opinions/ideas? Am I worrying too much about chickens ingesting those tiny pieces of metal if I fail to find them all? I included pics of the metal shavings, the cloth with fixing options, and the predator apron (to be covered with cement blocks and gravel), so you can see the whole set-up.

 

[MissGreenJeans]

Btw, it might be helpful to know that although the chickens will be unsupervised during the day in their run, they’re locked up in a secure coop at night, with no run access. Because I live in the NC mountains, I’m being careful to make both the coop and run as predator-proof as possible, even though I’m pretty sure most chicken-eaters around here are out and about mostly at night, when the girls will be inside.

 

[getaclue]

Keep doing what you're doing. Don't bother with the zip ties. If there are a lot of shavings, consider renting a rolling magnet, like they use to pick up roofing nails, and run it around a couple times. As long as there are not a lot of shavings, if you miss one, or two it shouldn't be a big deal. Of course, you will have the ONE CHICKEN that defies all odds, and makes me out to be a liar.

 

[Sally PB]

Just a thought... will a raccoon realize that the plastic zip tie is the weak part of the fence? Your fence looks pretty substantial to me.

 

[MissGreenJeans]

Keep doing what you're doing. Don't bother with the zip ties. If there are a lot of shavings, consider renting a rolling magnet, like they use to pick up roofing nails, and run it around a couple times. As long as there are not a lot of shavings, if you miss one, or two it shouldn't be a big deal. Of course, you will have the ONE CHICKEN that defies all odds, and makes me out to be a liar.

There’s always the ONE CHICKEN, right??

 

[MissGreenJeans]

Just a thought... will a raccoon realize that the plastic zip tie is the weak part of the fence? Your fence looks pretty substantial to me.

I had the same (hopeful) thought…. I would think probably not—but I’m a newbie. Zero experience deterring those murderous things!

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I used stainless steel zipties to attach hardware cloth to a dog run and very long landscaping staples to secure the hardware cloth apron/skirting. The more secure you can make it, the better.

 

[Morning_Star]

Keep doing what you're doing. Don't bother with the zip ties. If there are a lot of shavings, consider renting a rolling magnet, like they use to pick up roofing nails, and run it around a couple times. As long as there are not a lot of shavings, if you miss one, or two it shouldn't be a big deal. Of course, you will have the ONE CHICKEN that defies all odds, and makes me out to be a liar.

I agree with getaclue. My coop structure is mostly metal and I used self tapping screws and washers like you. Collect as much shavings as you can. The rest will oxidize back to mother earth.

I dropped a screw once and my chicken ran to pick it up and ate it. She survived like nothing happened.

 

[3KillerBs]

If there are a lot of shavings, consider renting a rolling magnet, like they use to pick up roofing nails, and run it around a couple times

We do a lot of DIY so we ended up buying one of our own.

 

[Ryguy3684]

I have one that works well. It's like a push broom, but with a magnet instead of a sweeper. The actual magnet is about 18" wide x 2" thick. It's covers an area that size pretty quickly. I got mine at Home Depot for $12. It's nice when working in the coop because the bedding seems to make screws disappear, and this finds them quickly.