Best source for plastic hardware cloth?

[ORNurse77433]

Brand new here, first post. Sorry if repeat question.

Looking for the best source for 1/2 x 1/2" hardware cloth (not metal) for the bottom half of my coop to keep out snakes, and paws of 'coons and oppossums.

Thanks

 

[TalkALittle]

If it's not metal the coons and possums will just claw or chew through it.

 

[NorthTexasWink]

@ORNurse77433. TalkALittle is correct. I'm afraid the plastic mesh won't do anything to stop raccoons nor opossums. It also tends to go brittle in the heat and UV from the sunlight. Probably the reason most everyone uses the regular metal 1/2" hardware cloth is because it works and is the most cost effective alternative widely available. You can sometimes find plastic coated versions offered by specialty vendors, but it's quite expensive and comes in limited sizes. I don't know of any sources for it off the top of my head.

And welcome to BYC!

 

[NancyNurseCxMama]

We're in the process of covering our entire 10' x20' run in 1/2" 16g hardware cloth. Our coop is entirely enclosed in the run. We will also bury an "apron" of hardware cloth one foot down and one foot out from the run.
We have possums, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, hawks, owls, skunks and the rare bear. Plus neighborhood dogs and feral cats.
@ORNurse77433 ---sorry, not sure where you live, but even if it is a city location there are rats and raccoons and cats and dogs that will easily get through anything plastic. You really need something tougher.
We bought ours through a commercial wire supply place (WAY cheaper than Home Depot, Lowe's, or Tractor Supply) in rolls of 50' x 48." Found the place with an internet search.
We're doing all we can to hedge our bets against predators. So many out there!!
I'm a first time chicken mama too and trying my best here---a lot to learn.
Best of luck with your project and your chicks!

 

[aart]

We will also bury an "apron" of hardware cloth one foot down and one foot out from the run.

No need to go a foot down, just go down far enough to mow over...
..so about 2" down and 22" out.
If your land is good and flat, no need to bury it at all,
just mow real low then lay apron over grass, it will grow back up thru it

 

[ORNurse77433]

Brand new here, first post. Sorry if repeat question.

Looking for the best source for 1/2 x 1/2" hardware cloth (not metal) for the bottom half of my coop to keep out snakes, and paws of 'coons and oppossums.

Thanks

PS. I was considering the plastic mesh, as we already have hurricane fencing as the primary barrier. I was thinking anything that would be able to make it through both wouldn't be that much to worry about.

 

[Hokum Coco]

Looking for the best source for 1/2 x 1/2" hardware cloth

It has to have some integrity to keep out a raccoon. They will surround your run in a group and spook your birds. Soon as one comes near a spot where they gained access they will reach in and tear your birds apart and have a banquet piece by piece outside your run (ask me how I know). If it is wire based and plastic coated it may be worth while if not do not waste your time or money. You only get one chance to do it right before you suffer losses. Raccoons are no longer furry woodland creatures. Raccoons are thriving in large down town cities, urban and rural settings just because you may not see them they are there. Raccoons are smart and most of all determined.

 

[aart]

hurricane fencing

What exactly is 'hurricane fencing'?
Material, weave/mesh, height, etc?
Pics or a link to product would be a bonus,
and remove all doubt of what we are discussing.

 

[NorthTexasWink]

What exactly is 'hurricane fencing'?
Material, weave/mesh, height, etc?
Pics or a link to product would be a bonus,
and remove all doubt of what we are discussing.

Being from Texas myself, perhaps I can translate; I'm pretty sure @ORNurse77433 means chain link fencing. I see he's from Cypress, TX and know that's in/near Houston on the Gulf coast where that is a common name for this fencing, especially when interwoven with wood lath or polyethylene strips to act as a windscreen.

ORNurse, the problem with your proposed combination of fencing is that raccoons especially can reach right through chain link and grab a chicken. Plastic mesh would be chewed through quickly and provide no defense against this. The scenario is, sadly, a very common one in which one or more raccoons approaches the perimeter fence, grabs a chicken or chicken part and yanks hard to tear the bird into pieces. Frequently they end up pulling apart or beheading multiple birds. It's a sight to make even us hardcore trauma nurses cringe.

Chain link is also prone to being pulled up or aside at the edges, creating gaps big enough for predators to slip past. Gates, corners and along the bottom edges are all vulnerable spots. While chainlink makes a sturdy and supportive barrier for many potential threats, it's really more of a starting framework for a chicken enclosure. You WILL need to add more to it to make it truly secure. I'm not even talking secure like Fort Knox, just secure enough to deter the most common predators. Most folks find 1/2" galvanized (metal) hardware cloth to be effective and the most economical and readily available material. Please note we are NOT talking about chicken wire. Hardware cloth and chicken wire are two different things.

You only need to cover over the bottom couple of feet of your hurricane fence with the hardware cloth, and allow a skirt along the bottom edges about 12-18" out. No need even to bury the skirt if you tack it to the ground and let the grass grow through it. You can mow right over it then too.

I hope my explanations make sense to you. I've lived in coastal and east Texas in the past, so I know the variety of critters there looking for a tasty chicken dinner. You've got your work cut out for you, but it CAN and HAS been done.

Please forgive me if I've gone on about stuff you already know. It's hard when I can't see you to know what you already understand. Best of luck!

 

[NancyNurseCxMama]

No need to go a foot down, just go down far enough to mow over...
..so about 2" down and 22" out.
If your land is good and flat, no need to bury it at all,
just mow real low then lay apron over grass, it will grow back up thru it

Thanks, @aart , but I am putting a garden bed around the run so I need a deeper soil bed for planting. Already have my nasturtium and sunflower seeds up and growing in little pots, waiting for the big day! Lavender and yarrow, too.
Land slopes a bit away from the coop in two directions---gentle slope but we picked the flattest piece we could find for the project.
This is it as of yesterday (and yes, I should be out there helping instead of reading these boards!!):