fencing/hardware cloth help!

[aart]

Then laid an additional welded wire apron to prevent digging.

This shows a perfect example of why pavers can be detrimental to apron function,
so I've made a labeled jpg as it's hard to describe in just words.
Hope you don't feel picked on @Latestarter, it's great run and apron,
tho pavers and boards are unnecessary at base of wall.

 

[Latestarter]

The boards were just laying there to keep them up off the ground. If you look closely, you'll notice that the welded wire extends out almost 2' PAST the pavers. Any animal attempting to dig at the edge of the pavers would have as much luck as digging at the base of the enclosure wall. I had foxes denned up less than 500' from these runs, 2 years in a row, and never lost a single bird to any land based predator. I did however find numerous chicken carcasses that were NOT from my flock.

 

[mpoland33]

Everyone talks about making their coops "fort knox" Many here are on a tight budget. Hardware cloth is very expensive. I bought welded wire fencing for the entire walls and then 4' welded wire to cover the bottom 4 feet of the run walls. I then ran it around the perimeter. You can bury it down a foot or so and only go 3' high and that will work as well. Then laid an additional welded wire apron to prevent digging. Where I was located, I didn't have to worry about weasels or mink (tunneling under through the welded wire apron)... A weasel can fit through a hole the diameter of a quarter. Raccoons will reach through welded wire and rip off heads or kill chickens they can reach.
View attachment 1266814

What size welded wire is this for the top?

 

[Relleoms]

I actually bought hardware cloth today through wireclothman.com. Their prices seemed very reasonable to me, even with postage. Definitely less expensive than Home Depot or Lowes.

 

[moniquem]

I buy it on Amazon... Prices vary, but right now it is the same as at walmart (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C89QJU0/ref=psdc_2231042011_t1_B01D82U4DE )--I'd choose the amazon because I've got prime. I'm in MD--I haven't seen local places with prices as good (though I only check Home Depot/Tractor Supply, haven't looked at/called local hardware stores).

Actually, maybe buy now? This is the best price I've seen in a while, sometimes the lowest price I can find anywhere is like $80 for the 50' roll. I just bought two, since we're doing our run this spring also and I don't quite have enough!

Thanks for the tip! I just bought two too! I'm building a coop and run this spring and can now scratch this off my "to buy" list.

 

[Latestarter]

It is standard 2"x4" welded wire fencing. Just fine for full sized chickens. It will not keep sparrows and small birds out of your run, so if you want to block out all birds etc, you'd need to cover it with bird netting or some such.

 

[Birdinhand]

It is standard 2"x4" welded wire fencing. Just fine for full sized chickens. It will not keep sparrows and small birds out of your run, so if you want to block out all birds etc, you'd need to cover it with bird netting or some such.

how do you keep out the rats?

 

[Latestarter]

By controlling food and not creating a draw for them to be there in the first place. Rats tunnel long distances... a 2 foot apron won't stop a rat from getting into the run if it wants in. I had elevated coops and all feeding was done inside the coop. No way for the rats or other vermin to get inside, and nothing outside to attract them.

 

[aart]

If you look closely, you'll notice that the welded wire extends out almost 2' PAST the pavers.

This is where I see the edge of apron.
Gary pavers are OK(but not necessary).
Red pavers are too close to apron edge.

 

[kwhites634]

Good morning,
I'm hoping anyone, especially Maryland friends,might be able to help out.

I'm looking to buy hardware cloth for my run and windows/vents in the coop. My run is 16' long by 8' wide...havent set a height yet (building next week) but after seeing pricing on hardware cloth, I'm thinking of building it 7' or so just so I can stand comfortably (it'll be sloped so 7' on one side and maybe 6' on the other for the roof drainage.

Anyway, what size and more importantly where is the cheaper place/ place to buy that gives the most bang for your buck. I don't want to skimp on safety but I'm also on a budget

I'd go with 1/4". It's the most expensive, 'cause it has the most wire in it. It's also the most secure.
I usually buy mine @ Lowes, on rt.26, Frederick. Don't ask an associate where it is. Last time I did that they told me they didn't sell it. I knew better; I'd bought it there before, but couldn't remember where it was. It's back near the garden section, where all the fence supplies are...in that store, anyway. Check Amazon; they may be less.