DIY Uses of Scrap Hardware Cloth

[Tiffany Wikk]

Howdy, everybody!
I thought I'd share with y'all some different uses I've found for scrap pieces of hardware cloth. My family bought a long roll of ½-inch hardware cloth for the walls of our run. Of course, after building our run, we had plenty of hardware cloth left on the roll—and a ton of tiny scrap pieces. In this thread, I'm going to share each of my projects I've done using this extra material.
Please feel free to share your experiences with DIY hardware cloth projects. Whether it was bought for that project or was simply a scrap, I would love to hear about it!

- Original Project - The coop/run/tunnel -

Here's the run that we bought the hardware cloth for. We used a staple gun to attach it. My family and I worked hard to salvage an old shed that we used as the material for a good portion of the coop and run.

Shortly after we built the coop and run, we built a small tunnel to the secondary run (the "Aviary") behind. The walls and top of this tunnel were also made from hardware cloth.

I will be posting all of my projects in their own separate posts. Follow along for all the uses I've found for scrap hardware cloth!

Project Posts:
• Tree Covers
• Fly Trap Holder
• Grazing Boxes
• Planter
• Brooder Lid

Project Posts to come:
• Durafork Sifter
• Etc.

 

[Tiffany Wikk]

- DIY Project #1 - Tree Covers -

A few days ago, we bought two small trees to grow in our "Aviary". Quickly, we discovered, of course, that the chickens love to peck at the trees and eat them. So I decided to take my handy, dandy scrap pieces of hardware cloth and make something out of them. I cut it to size, duct taped the sharp-ish edges (after cutting them the best I could), rolled it into a cylinder, and zip-tied the ends together (leaving room to expand as the tree grows). Then I placed it around the small trees.

I tightened the cylinder since this photo since it was a bit large. I wanted to make it small enough that a chicken didn't try to jump in it, but that it didn't crowd the tree.↓

 

[Tiffany Wikk]

- Project #2 - Fly Trap Holder -

Today, my sister and I were attempting to refill our fly traps from Tractor Supply (see image) with bait. Whether it's the wind, wild animals, or a bump from someone, it kept ending up on its side.

My mom had the idea to place it in a bucket (or pot) and fill it with gravel to weigh it down so it wouldn't tip over. To empty or refill the fly trap, it would be nice to be able to pull it out and put it back in the bucket without re-putting the gravel back around it, right? So I made something similar to the cylinders around the trees, just on a smaller scale. I placed it in the bucket¹ and poured the gravel around it². Then I placed the fly trap in it³. Now we can pleasantly look at our fly trap without staring at nasty dead flies, and they won't tip over in the wind! The bucket I used was an old pot from two bell pepper plants I bought from the store. So thankfully, the pot was completely free.

 

[Tiffany Wikk]

- Project #3 - Grazing Boxes -

We have wanted to make grazing boxes for a while now. It seems like such a cool way to grow small plants for the chickens. There are so many ways to build one, though. So, again, my mom had a brilliant idea. She had remembered that I had built a ladder out of old wood for the chickens to perch on . Unfortunately, the chickens completely ignored this ladder. Perhaps I built it wrong and should have made the rungs easier for them to sit on. Although, I am partially glad they didn't like the ladder. It was simply perfect for this grazing box project. The idea my mom had was to lay it flat on the ground, lay a piece of hardware cloth over, secure it, and cover the rough edges (see post #6). Funny enough, I had a scrap piece that fit it perfectly. I'm not kidding; It literally could not have been a more perfect size. As I unbent it (since it was a small scrap laying around somewhere in the garage), I kept saying to myself, "No way!" It was just so perfect. I stapled it down, and cut furring strips to size. I screwed those down so the chickens wouldn't get cut on any sharp edges, or get their toes stuck on the hardware cloth. I sanded the top to help prevent any foot injuries as well

Even though nothing has grown in it yet, they already enjoy it far more laying on the ground than being a mere ladder. Alek, my rooster, called them all over to inspect it, and they had a joyous time discovering whatever this new object was. Hopefully, they will continue to like it as much when it actually serves its purpose of growing small seedlings. The rungs on the ladder serve well as supports to ensure that the mesh does not cave under the weight of a chicken. It also created separate boxes we'll use for different plants. We'll be able to easily try different seeds to see what works, while neatly containing them in their designated squares.
It fits perfectly under a bench we have out there so it doesn't take any extra space on the floor of the Aviary.

Share your grazing boxes! Whether made from hardware cloth or some other grating material, I'd love to see them!

 

[aart]

Share your grazing boxes! Whether made from hardware cloth or some other grating material, I'd love to see them!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/grazing-frames.73645/

 

[Tiffany Wikk]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/grazing-frames.73645/

Wonderful article!
I wasn't aware of your article but my mom just told me that when she was looking up information on grazing boxes she came across your article. You stripping down your 2x4s was what helped us to come up with the idea for the furring strips. Thanks for your input!

 

[aart]

You stripping down your 2x4s was what helped us to come up with the idea for the furring strips.

I thought I recognized that technique

 

[Elspeth Dinsmore]

- Project #3 - Grazing Boxes -

View attachment 3879491

We have wanted to make grazing boxes for a while now. It seems like such a cool way to grow small plants for the chickens. There are so many ways to build one, though. So, again, my mom had a brilliant idea. She had remembered that I had built a ladder out of old wood for the chickens to perch on . Unfortunately, the chickens completely ignored this ladder. Perhaps I built it wrong and should have made the rungs easier for them to sit on. Although, I am partially glad they didn't like the ladder. It was simply perfect for this grazing box project. The idea my mom had was to lay it flat on the ground, lay a piece of hardware cloth over, secure it, and cover the rough edges. Funny enough, I had a scrap piece that fit it perfectly. I'm not kidding; It literally could not have been a more perfect size. As I unbent it (since it was a small scrap laying around somewhere in the garage), I kept saying to myself, "No way!" It was just so perfect. I stapled it down, and cut furring strips to size. I screwed those down so the chickens wouldn't get cut on any sharp edges, or get their toes stuck on the hardware cloth. I sanded the top to help prevent any foot injuries as well
View attachment 3879522
Even though nothing has grown in it yet, they already enjoy it far more laying on the ground than being a mere ladder. Alek, my rooster, called them all over to inspect it, and they had a joyous time discovering whatever this new object was. Hopefully, they will continue to like it as much when it actually serves its purpose of growing small seedlings. The rungs on the ladder serve well as supports to ensure that the mesh does not cave under the weight of a chicken. It also created separate boxes we'll use for different plants. We'll be able to easily try different seeds to see what works, while neatly containing them in their designated squares.
It fits perfectly under a bench we have out there so it doesn't take any extra space on the floor of the Aviary.
View attachment 3879523
Share your grazing boxes! Whether made from hardware cloth or some other grating material, I'd love to see them!

That's my sister! She's so handy and talented. I'm proud to say she's part of my family.

 

[Tiffany Wikk]

- Project #3 - Grazing Boxes - Part 2 -

I finished making the labels and sewing the seeds for each square on the grazing boxes. I planted alfalfa, wheat, clover, and oats. Each of the labels I put Velcro tape so I can re-use and reorder the plants if I chose to.

 

[Tiffany Wikk]

- Project #4 - Planter (unfinished) -
Yesterday, my sister found an old wood box stored in the garage. We'd been wanting to make a larger "grazing box" for an oregano plant. I was going to build my own box frame, but then decided to try using this wood box since it wasn't being used. I built a small frame from scrap wood to fit the top of the opening and stapled a small piece of hardware cloth to the inside. It took me a while, but eventually I found an old hinge to use and even an old handle. Hopefully this will work well for our oregano to grow and allow the chickens to eat it without destroying the plant! I'm excited to see how it goes.

I'm not certain the oregano will grow through the ¼ (edit) ½ inch holes. I'm hoping it will. Otherwise, I'll find another plant with smaller leaves to grow through the holes.