Coop wire size

[DAttard]

I've 1/4" hardware cloth lining bottom of my outdoor quail hutch.
Droppings/spilled food are not dropping through as thought.
This is leading to yucky/soiled/wet areas and not only is it difficult to clean but I worry about feet/cleanliness.
Can I move to a larger size hardware cloth and still be predator proof and not too hard on their feet?
TY

 

[Nabiki]

1/2" hardware cloth is the standard. If you do keep your birds on wire, make sure to provide a place where they can get off of it to rest their feet.