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You can, but it will eventually break down, even if it's galvanized ... then your birds are prone to metal splinters and bumblefoot!Can I put the hardware cloth on the floor on my enclosure if it's over grass?
Hi there, welcome to BYC!Can I put the hardware cloth on the floor on my enclosure if it's over grass?
Thanks, I didn't think of that.I would not. First the chickens will try to dig in it and may hurt their nails. Secondly the urates in the poop and moisture will eventually start to break it down and you'll have pieces of torn wire that can injure both the birds and yourself. It would be best to use a 24" hardware cloth apron around all sides. You can put some digging stakes around that if you want to be extra vigilant.
Thanks, I didn't think of that.I would not. First the chickens will try to dig in it and may hurt their nails. Secondly the urates in the poop and moisture will eventually start to break it down and you'll have pieces of torn wire that can injure both the birds and yourself. It would be best to use a 24" hardware cloth apron around all sides. You can put some digging stakes around that if you want to be extra vigilant.
Thanks, my back was trying to avoid the concrete route lol. I think I'll have to grin and bear it though.You can, but it will eventually break down, even if it's galvanized ... then your birds are prone to metal splinters and bumblefoot!
If the goal is to keep predators from digging under, might I suggest a less expensive option that has worked for me? I dug a narrow trench around ten inches deep (the length of my shovel) all around the base of my playhouse coop and run. I filled opposite sides of the trench with dry Qwik-rete, ran a hose into the trench and mixed it up, in-place. When it was set, I did the other two sides. There is now a continuous concrete barrier all along the outside of my birds' home. It's been in place for seven years, and so far, so good. It's kept out both DD's dog, who thinks chickens are the ultimate, organic squeaky toys and many foxes from the woods out back.