Cage protection - need advice!

[Hanie]

I'm about to put my six week old chicks out on the verandah in their cage. The cage is made of wood and wire and is totally enclosed, but doesn't have wire on the floor. If I'm putting it on a wooden verandah, not on grass, should I buy some hardware cloth to attach to the bottom of the cage as a floor? And if so what's the best way to attach it? Thanks in advance

 

[thomasboyle]

You don't say where you live or what type of predators you are concerned about, so here are some general suggestions. The most secure way to attach hardware wire is with deck screws and fender washers. You can also use 5/8" T-50 type staples, or longer staples in an air powered staple gun. I use 1 inch staples that have a glue coating on them, so once they go in the wood, they are not coming out. Good luck!

 

[Hanie]

Thanks! My main concerns would be foxes and cats. Possibly snakes and rodents but I'm not sure. It might be too cold for snakes at the moment. I don't know what any of those things are, would the hardware store know?

 

[thomasboyle]

Yes, a hardware store or big orange or big blue box chain will have them too. I would go with 1 1/4" deck screws, and 1" fender washers. A fender washer is a large washer with a small hole in the middle. So a 1" fender washer is 1" in diameter. Before you buy the washers, make sure the screw fits into the hole and that it fits securely. You don't want hole too big or the screw will go through and not secure the washer to the wood. I use screws and washers every 12 inches around the coop. It takes a lot of time, screws and washers, but I sleep very well at night knowing my birds are secure.

 

[Hanie]

Thanks again! They've done well during their first two days outside