Chicken wire vs. hardware cloth vs. welded wire

[janiedoe]

Here is a link to an infographic which provides complete details about the differences between these - http://www.poultrydvm.com/featured-infographic/tips-for-protecting-poultry-from-predators

That's a great link! Thank you.

 

[True Patriot]

Personally, hardware cloth anywhere they're going to be at night. Since they are more vulnerable in the coop if something gets in with them. (Nowhere to escape to) For the run, start with welded wire. Then add hardware cloth as you can. There's nothing saying you have to lay out the entire expense at once.

 

[aart]

Here is a link to an infographic which provides complete details about the differences between these - http://www.poultrydvm.com/featured-infographic/tips-for-protecting-poultry-from-predators

That is pretty good on mesh....tho they don't show the aprons going around corners.

 

[GC-Raptor]

they don't show the aprons going around corners.

Maybe Predators don't dig corners.. GC

 

[aart]

Maybe Predators don't dig corners.. GC

And they only dig at the walls with the aprons, ignoring the un-aproned walls.

 

[imnukensc]

Chicken wire- cheapest option, weakest option should be used to keep chickens in not things out.

Welded wire- cheaper than hardware cloth

Hardware cloth- best option, and most expensive.

Many, if not most folks here, think HWC is the best option. I'm not one of them. Don't have one bit of HWC on my coop or run. Welded wire is thicker, stronger, lasts longer, and is easier to work with than HWC, IMO.

 

[aart]

Welded wire is thicker, stronger, lasts longer, and is easier to work with than HWC, IMO.

What size mesh/holes do you use?
Another thing that 'info graphic' didn't show was they typical 14ga fencing that many use.

 

[imnukensc]

I use 1/2"X1" on the bottom third of the run. The upper two thirds is 2"X3". Under the roost in the coop (instead of a poop board) is 1"X2". Coop is raised about 2' off the ground and is not enclosed so is not part of the 16'X8' run.

 

[Cryss]

Raccoons climb fences. Chicken wire is easily ripped open by a raccoon. You do what you need to do, but just be aware of what raccoons can do and what different fencing can and can't do.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Neither chicken wire, hardware cloth, or welded wire, is a safe chicken barrier against predators, at least not all predators. All of these fencing materials can do good duty as long as you have a strong barrier between your run and the predators. For instance I kept 100s of roosters and hens in sort of large pens [about 100 square feet for one hen and a single rooster] while I had many more hens running lose. This yard was 3 acres in size and more counting my garden spot, goat pen, and dog kennel. A 3 foot tall 1 inch chicken wire fence surrounded my chicken walk and this was topped by a 5 foot tall 2 inch chicken wire fence, equaling an eight foot tall fence. My 2 coon hounds helped put the occasional predator on the road to Glory. A few steel traps and a single barrel 20 gauge shotgun finished my predator protection. A better fencing option than welded wire is 2X4 inch non-climb horse fence that is much much harder for large animals like your neighbor's German Shepard to breach or destroy.