Chicken wire ?!?

[4hmomof4]

Hey guys!
We live in central fl and are actually having a hard time finding quality chicken wire for our coop/run I mean Walmart and the feed stores have it but it seems like the price is crazy high! Where do y'all like to shop for your critter supplies?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Don't get chicken wire as raccoon can reach through and rip chicken heads off. Chicken wire is meant to contain chickens and NOT to keep out predators... which I would think you have many??

Go with half inch hardware cloth... at least where they will sleeping. Amazon was the cheapest place I found. Otherwise home depot might be good choice. Don't staple it on as staples pull out easy. Best to secure using screws and washers or by screwing another piece of wood strip.

 

[IamRainey]

How expensive is replacing chickens you've lost to predators? Plus, if you've gotten chickens you've taken on the responsibility to keep them safe.

Spend the $$$. You'll forget what it cost in a month and you'll still have healthy chickens laying eggs.

BTW, keep in mind that even 1/2" hardware cloth comes in various gauges. You want the heavy one that will Do. The. Job. Skimp on something else.

And while you're at it, dig it in 18" or lay it out in a deep apron around the run so that predators can't dig their way past it.

 

[jolly wattles]

Hey guys!
We live in central fl and are actually having a hard time finding quality chicken wire for our coop/run I mean Walmart and the feed stores have it but it seems like the price is crazy high! Where do y'all like to shop for your critter supplies?

Chicken wire is junk. And if you think it's high wait till you price hardware cloth which is what you should be using. Worth the investment.

 

[4hmomof4]

Thanks guys. I'll definitely look into that instead!

 

[4hmomof4]

Don't get chicken wire as raccoon can reach through and rip chicken heads off. Chicken wire is meant to contain chickens and NOT to keep out predators... which I would think you have many??

Go with half inch hardware cloth... at least where they will sleeping. Amazon was the cheapest place I found. Otherwise home depot might be good choice. Don't staple it on as staples pull out easy. Best to secure using screws and washers or by screwing another piece of wood strip.

Thanks ! , raccoons are a big issue for us. We feed our 13+ cats outside so the raccoons think they are part of the heard.

 

[4hmomof4]

How expensive is replacing chickens you've lost to predators? Plus, if you've gotten chickens you've taken on the responsibility to keep them safe.

Spend the $$$. You'll forget what it cost in a month and you'll still have healthy chickens laying eggs.

BTW, keep in mind that even 1/2" hardware cloth comes in various gauges. You want the heavy one that will Do. The. Job. Skimp on something else.

And while you're at it, dig it in 18" or lay it out in a deep apron around the run so that predators can't dig their way past it.

Definitely ! We were mainly looking into the chicken wire for the run they they would only be in during the day while we are with them. But I'll keep all that in mind. Thanks a bunch !

 

[perchie.girl]

Definitely ! We were mainly looking into the chicken wire for the run they they would only be in during the day while we are with them. But I'll keep all that in mind. Thanks a bunch !

Welded wire is a better choice for the run Cheaper and stronger. Even so I would run a finer wire around the base so critters cant snag through the bars and pull a chicken through.... I had A guinea Hen loose a leg to raccons right through Chain link once pulled it right out of her hip joint.... She survived I named her Peg... From then on I made hardward cloth covers for the chainlink wire anywhere the chickens may come in contact with the outside wire.

Chicken wire is great stuff for containing chickens for the inside ... Partitions in the coop dividers for the feed room stuff like that. But really thats all its good for.

If you want more substantial chicken wire for what ever reason... Try stucco Wire its much sturdier. and you will find it in the building materials section where the concrete would be kept.

deb

 

[4hmomof4]

Great info thank you. And sorry to hear about Peg. Hope she is well!

 

[drumstick diva]

1/2 " hardware cloth has been the gold standard in chicken fencing for years. As for being out when chickens free range, etc. A hawk can pick them off right in front of you in the blink of an eye. Runs need covers to keep them out them.