Attaching hardware cloth

[EMMomma]

Hey! We’re just about finished with our coop, and have started the run and are ready to put up hardware cloth (and a door).
I have a question that I’ve spent way too much time thinking about: Do you attach the cloth in the inside or the outside of the wood supports?
I feel like there might be less sharp edges for chickens, and a flatter surface to install on if I put it in the outside, but nicer looking (for humans) if I put it on the inside. I have a combo of cabinet screws with washers, and fencing staples to use for attaching.

 

[DobieLover]

Hey! We’re just about finished with our coop, and have started the run and are ready to put up hardware cloth (and a door).
I have a question that I’ve spent way too much time thinking about: Do you attach the cloth in the inside or the outside of the wood supports?
I feel like there might be less sharp edges for chickens, and a flatter surface to install on if I put it in the outside, but nicer looking (for humans) if I put it on the inside. I have a combo of cabinet screws with washers, and fencing staples to use for attaching.

Outside. Anything pushing on the fence from outside will have a harder time releasing it from the support structure.

 

[EMMomma]

Outside. Anything pushing on the fence from outside will have a harder time releasing it from the support structure.

Thanks! I wondered about which would be structurally better, but didn’t know whether predators would be pushing or pulling.

 

[DobieLover]

Thanks! I wondered about which would be structurally better, but didn’t know whether predators would be pushing or pulling.

That's the beauty of 1/2" hardware cloth. Not much can get a grip on it to pull. If you want it to look better on the outside, you can always cover up the attachments with a ripped piece of deck board. That'll also offer additional securing of the hardware cloth.

 

[One Lucky Momma]

I agree with DobieLover, but I see what you mean about the aesthetics. If you really want to gussy up, get some lightweight trim to go over your attachments. Are you covering the “ceiling”?

 

[EMMomma]

I agree with DobieLover, but I see what you mean about the aesthetics. If you really want to gussy up, get some lightweight trim to go over your attachments. Are you covering the “ceiling”?

I had thought about doing the outside and just covering at least the verticals with 1x4.
I have bird net for the “ceiling”. I’m hoping that will be sufficient. I think the main concern is hawks and owls. As far as raccoons, foxes, opossum, etc, the coop and run are inside a fenced area that our dogs will have access to, all the way around the run. There are trees, but the trees are tall. Something wanting to drop in from above would be committing to at least a 20 foot drop.... Does that sound reasonable, or will bird netting not deter hawks and owls?
Edited to add - the leaves/branches that look like they’re right over the roof of the coop are actually in the foreground. In between the deck where I took the photo, and the run.

 

[David61]

Outside
They will push and pull on it. But the greatest mechanical advantage will be them bouncing their body weight on it. I put batton wood strips to cover seams and trim the outside

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

Outside!!!

 

[One Lucky Momma]

Like you, our aerial threats are likely to be hawks. The layout of our run makes complete enclosure pretty impossible but we have an extensive visual deterrent and, so far, we’ve not had any visitors from above. Something to consider is if your bird netting would be more or less invisible to a predator watching from above? Maybe more effective once it gets a few leaves resting on it.
At night, everyone will be “cooped up” and that’s another significant later of security.
Btw, that’s a very cute coop!

our run

 

[EMMomma]

Like you, our aerial threats are likely to be hawks. The layout of our run makes complete enclosure pretty impossible but we have an extensive visual deterrent and, so far, we’ve not had any visitors from above. Something to consider is if your bird netting would be more or less invisible to a predator watching from above? Maybe more effective once it gets a few leaves resting on it.
At night, everyone will be “cooped up” and that’s another significant later of security.
Btw, that’s a very cute coop!

our run
View attachment 2211813

I really like the flags!
I had wondered about that with the netting. I don’t want my chickens attacked by owls or hawks, but I don’t want any of those raptors entangled in netting either. I have an old tower of blank CDs. If I dispersed some of those across the top would that serve as a deterrent, or just make it even more visually confusing?

Thanks for the coop compliment! We used some plans I bought on Etsy that we modified a bit to add ventilation and make things easier to clean.