Chicken wire vs. hardware cloth vs. welded wire

[CircleVRanch]

If you need proof that chicken wire wont keep predators out, we just had a bobcat visit our coop last night and tore a hole right through it

 

[townchicks]

I weigh my wire costs in what it costs my chickens, not what it costs me. Maybe you can build a smaller run with all hardware cloth for those times when you can't be around, and a larger area with chicken wire that they can use when you or the dog is around to keep an eye out?

 

[mseely]

I guess I should add I have an automatic coop door so there's very few times that they don't get let in even if I'm not home. This is more for extra security, I do like your idea townchicks I will just have to reconfigure my plan a little bit And Circlevranch I hope none of your ladies were hurt! I am fortunate that I do not have bobcats or coyotes where I live.

 

[jreardon1918]

Our main run is protected with HW cloth and a plywood roof. That measures 8' x 12'. We recently added an auxiliary run that the chickens have access to whenever we are home. There is a small chicken door that can be opened and closed . That run is 5' tall, 2"x 4" welded wire. Only one fly out in 4 months. It is roughly 50' x 20'. They love it. No roof on the auxiliary run. Bunnies go through the welded wire as if it were not there. So, it is quite possible that other scary creatures can and probably will get in. And of course hawks could swoop in. Raccoons can climb over and a fox could dig under. The expanded freedom is worth the risk. Check back with me if we have any losses.

 

[lazy gardener]

You must weigh your risk tolerance with the contents of your wallet. We all hate to loose chickens to a predator. My balancing act: Birds are shut in every night. We added an auto pop door on a timer last summer to help with that. I free range when hawks are not circling, and when we are not trying to start new lawn to repair grub/chicken damage. When either of those 2 issues come into play, birds are shut in 500 s.f. run: chicken wire, buried skirt, bird netting over top. No way could I afford to do hdw. cloth to cover this large area. Netting also must come down during our 6 month snow season. I won't try to pretend that this set up won't keep out a serious predator. Thankfully, most predation occurs from above or at night.

To improve safety when birds are free ranging: I have plenty of cover options, natural and man made. The area between the chicken run and my back deck where they like to hang out during the heat of the day is purposefully cluttered: Wheel barrows, lawn chair, step ladder and the like are scattered around. Thankfully, I don't live in a neighborhood that is "upscale". Granted, the clutter looks a bit trashy, but my girls are just a tad more secure as they dart from the run to their refuge under the deck. As an added "predator deterrent, I toss dog poo into the weedy areas between lawn and woods. I like to think that strong scent of dog will discourage some predators from visiting.

There is also electric fencing. I have the equipment to do so, but have not b/c of the added work of maintaining weed control over this area.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

To directly reply to the OP, with all of the material you listed, yes hardware cloth is the most expensive. Great for securing housing but not cost effective on Manley sized runs. A small wimpy run is fine, but a jumbo run. My largest run used 250 lnft of welded wire for far less than what hardware cloth would have robbed out of my food funds. The welded wire is wrapped with 1' chicken wire that is 2ft wide to keep their heads in.
With all of the hard earned cash saved I bought a good hot wire kit and all the components. Still saving a chunk of change so I can stay within budget.
The hot box has a 10 mile range and pulses 8000 volts on our meter. Enough to zap the urine and fecal out of any predator.
Strategically place your hot wires and save your money for food for your flock.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

I would just go ahead and use the chicken wire you already have. But then again I'm a cheap bastard.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

I would just go ahead and use the chicken wire you already have. But then again I'm a cheap bastard.

"straight talking honest talking" is a good character trait.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I have a big outer fence to keep out deer, coyotes, and dogs. raccoons and skunks are more clever, but we don't have any here, (no streams near by) my chickens get put in a hut at night. (not pictured)

I do have smaller pens, the one below was a smaller pen it has hardwear cloth on the out side, and even though I have a yard surrounding fence, and the hut has the wire it came with, I still put more hardwear cloth on all the outside wired areas of the small hut. They seem flimsy. (this is the before pic.)

 

[ellenscoop]

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