Chain Link - HW cloth on the inside or out?

[PupsNHens]

I'm planning to expand my run and I'm trying to figure out the best way to apply the hardware cloth. I'll be using chain link dog kennel panels for the sides. Is it better to put the hw cloth on the inside of the run or outside (or does it matter)? My current run has it on the outside because it's also part of the apron. I will be putting down an apron for the extension, but I'm wondering about the rest of it. I plan to put hw cloth on the lower 3-4 ft.

What about for the top? I'm thinking of using cattle panels with 2x4 welded or woven wire. Would it be better to put one or the other on top?

I need it to be as predator-proof as possible because my chickens have access to it 24x7. I have rodents, voles, trash pandas, raptors, dogs, coyotes, and snakes for certain. Oh, and the resident bird population (who seem to appreciate the free food), but I thought I'd just finish it off with bird netting to try deterring them. It's going to take me a while to do this, so I only want to do it once.

One other question - how do you attach hw cloth to chain link? I currently use zip ties, but those will eventually bake in the sun and become brittle. I tried using hog rings and j-clips, but the small openings in the hw cloth make getting the pliers in there pretty much impossible. Any suggestions or tips?

- Thanks!

 

[blackdog043]

I put my HWC on the outside, like yours and made it the apron in one piece also. My whole run is 1/2 x 1/2 HWC. The bottom 4 ft is industrial wire racking, covered with the 1/2 x 1/2. I have plastic panels for my roof. Rodents, snakes and other things can get through 2 x 4 wire, so not sure how predator proof it will be, even with the netting. The most economical place for HWC, if you need some, is usually Amazon or walmart.com

so I only want to do it once.

That was my thought, I did it the way I really wanted it, the first time. I still have a few things to finish up on the coop. Real windows (not the wood) trim work and paint. The run is 8 x 22

 

[RUNuts]

I'm using dog kennel panels also. My thinking is the dogs (family pets) would pull the chicken wire off the chain link, so I put it on the inside. I had 2 that chewed through the chain link fence (ok, pulled the gate panel off enough the small dog wormed through). So, let the big critters chew on the chain link rather than rip the hardware cloth off.

Just flipped one section around and they haven't messed with the chicken wire. It may not be critical. But chickens won't tear up either. Dogs can.

Good luck from southeast Texas!

 

[PupsNHens]

I'm in the process of building a coop as well, but I'm stalled due to weather. The run will be too big for me to cover on my own, so I'm just planning to cover with the cattle panels and wire. I expect the chickens to spend most of their time in the run due to the hot weather we get; I'm hoping the coop will be used by them when the weather is cold (like it is now) and when the spring storms come through.

 

[Folly's place]

You may be able to find metal zip ties, and they wear very well.
Your run will be good but not predator proof for birds 24/7. Openings larger than 1/2" will be an issue, so plan to lock the birds in at night, every night.
Rats, snakes, and weasels can come in above that hardware cloth skirt!
Mary

 

[RUNuts]

Spring storms - hmm.
The fall hurricanes had my birds under the coop. It is elevated about 18". I put some logs under it so they could perch out of the water - we did not flood, but everything was drenched. Didn't go in the coop. Preferred under it. LOL. They survived.

My run is uncovered, but between 2 trees that provide shade. Have not lost a bird, but was there when a hawk wanted to come visit. I do have a pole across the run and that might have been enough of a deterrent. Tight space to fly into.

Neighbor had to cover his since he put his new babies into the run and a hawk immediately ate 3. The third as he was watching and could do nothing. Head count came up 3 short. QUICK!

I'm still figuring how to cover after my first attempt using plastic deer netting failed to meet expectations (it stretches). Wire or cattle panels is the way to go. Since I have a circle, it's a little more of a challenge. Seemed like a good idea at the time.

 

[RUNuts]

Ties - I used concrete rebar ties. Thick steel wire. They sell them in packs of 1000. I used a bunch.

 

[Folly's place]

It's easy to keep raptors out with any netting; My old run had 2" chicken wire over the top for years, and it worked. Very little snow stuck to it, so it can be another choice in a smaller area.
'Some protection' is better than 'no protection', and 'predator proof' can be a work in progress!
Mary

 

[PupsNHens]

Spring storms - hmm.
The fall hurricanes had my birds under the coop. It is elevated about 18". I put some logs under it so they could perch out of the water - we did not flood, but everything was drenched. Didn't go in the coop. Preferred under it. LOL. They survived.

My run is uncovered, but between 2 trees that provide shade. Have not lost a bird, but was there when a hawk wanted to come visit. I do have a pole across the run and that might have been enough of a deterrent. Tight space to fly into.

Neighbor had to cover his since he put his new babies into the run and a hawk immediately ate 3. The third as he was watching and could do nothing. Head count came up 3 short. QUICK!

I'm still figuring how to cover after my first attempt using plastic deer netting failed to meet expectations (it stretches). Wire or cattle panels is the way to go. Since I have a circle, it's a little more of a challenge. Seemed like a good idea at the time.

I can totally see that happening! Mine already like hanging out under the coop-in-process, but it's elevated only 1ft.

Hawks are a definite threat. Just a couple of days ago, the girls were out in the chicken yard and I heard a lot of bawking from inside my house. I went out to check on them and there was a Hawk on the telephone pole near the chicken yard. They followed me into their run and I locked them in for the rest of the day. Owls and hawks are a big reason I'm covering the runs!

 

[PupsNHens]

Ties - I used concrete rebar ties. Thick steel wire. They sell them in packs of 1000. I used a bunch.

These look like they might work. I'll have to try them out.