Fencing...

[fiddlechicken]

Hello, Everyone!

I am a new chicken momma myself, and I was also shocked at how expensive 1/2 in. hardware cloth is. After a LOT of research, the best price I found- by far- was Amazon.com.
Ideally, I would like to buy locally, but at 48in x 100ft for $55ish bucks, it's hard to turn them down... We also have the "amazon prime", so that includes free 2-day shipping. (If anyone knows a comparable price in the Portland, OR area, I would be happy to hear of it.

Anyway, hope that helps someone along the way.
Best of luck to you all, and Happy Chickening!

 

[fiddlechicken]

Oh! I would also like to add...

I have found 1/4. in hardware cloth for cheaper at Amazon.com than the 1/2in.

The 1/2 in. apparently works great at keeping out most "chicken jerks"- racoons, and the like, right down to rats.
I am told that mice have no problem getting into 1/2 in. hardware cloth, but that 1/4 in. hardware cloth keeps even the tiny mice out.

I was considering just using 1/4 in., around the run, but apparently, the mesh is so fine that it makes it hard to see the chickens in the run. ( This could, I imagine, make for a better shielding of the sun's rays, if that were required in a certain spot... Just thinking out loud...)

Anyway, as it stands now, I am going to use 1/4 in. on the floor- base of the run, and use 1/2 for everything else.
Sorry for the ramble.

 

[JadedPhoenix]

Is 1/2 hardware cloth better than poultry hex fencing? Our coop is almost finished and my hubby was shocked by the price of hardware cloth!

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Absolutely. Especially if there are dogs or other predators in the area. I had to go back and re-enforce my chicken wire because my dog was able to use it as dental floss!! Spend a little up front and you'll save in the long run.

 

[debid]

Oh! I would also like to add...

I have found 1/4. in hardware cloth for cheaper at Amazon.com than the 1/2in.

The 1/2 in. apparently works great at keeping out most "chicken jerks"- racoons, and the like, right down to rats.
I am told that mice have no problem getting into 1/2 in. hardware cloth, but that 1/4 in. hardware cloth keeps even the tiny mice out.

I was considering just using 1/4 in., around the run, but apparently, the mesh is so fine that it makes it hard to see the chickens in the run. ( This could, I imagine, make for a better shielding of the sun's rays, if that were required in a certain spot... Just thinking out loud...)

Anyway, as it stands now, I am going to use 1/4 in. on the floor- base of the run, and use 1/2 for everything else.
Sorry for the ramble.

I suggest not putting a wire floor in your run. Protection on the ground around the run, either by apron extending out at the surface or digging down to extend the fencing underground, is plenty to keep out digging predators. Scratching in the soil is a favorite chicken activity and they benefit from it in many ways.

 

[Sonya9]

I suggest not putting a wire floor in your run. Protection on the ground around the run, either by apron extending out at the surface or digging down to extend the fencing underground, is plenty to keep out digging predators. Scratching in the soil is a favorite chicken activity and they benefit from it in many ways.

I agree. Chickens adore scratching, finding bugs, dust bathes, etc... That is one of their top things in life! Denying them that seems cruel.

Also I would worry about bumble foot if they lived on wire. The bottom of a chicken's foot is amazingly soft, walking on wire all the time can't possibly be fun and I would worry about hard to fix infections setting in.

Rent a ditch witch and dig a narrow trench a few inches deep along the fenceline for the hardware cloth so predators can't dig under if they are that big of a concern.

 

[SteveinDallas]

I fenced my 9'x12'x8' run in 1/2" x 1/2" hardware cloth and it was painfully expensive. The hardware cloth alone was about $260. Bought it from the local Home Depot.
But, I HATE rats and didn't want any to be able to start hanging around with access to chicken feed so that's why I chose it over other options. Last thing I need is neighbors blaming me for an increase in rat activity. Am glad I did as it's very effective and it looks good.
I'm a city boy but am amazed at the idea of a critter being able to penetrate chicken wire. That stuff seems so tough to me but I'll go with what the folks who post say, that HC is tougher to get through.

 

[F6Hawk]

Hello, Everyone!

I am a new chicken momma myself, and I was also shocked at how expensive 1/2 in. hardware cloth is. After a LOT of research, the best price I found- by far- was Amazon.com.
Ideally, I would like to buy locally, but at 48in x 100ft for $55ish bucks, it's hard to turn them down... We also have the "amazon prime", so that includes free 2-day shipping. (If anyone knows a comparable price in the Portland, OR area, I would be happy to hear of it.

Anyway, hope that helps someone along the way.
Best of luck to you all, and Happy Chickening!

Do you have a link for that? All I see is around $80-100 for 48X100' on Amazon. I wonder if you are getting a thinner gauge than 19 at that price?