Hardware Cloth—what size and gauge

[Debby R]

Bought my 1/2” x4’x100’ on amazon. It was the best price I could find.

Me too.

 

[FoggyMountainMartin]

We are currently building the coop and run. We spaced the posts 4 ft on center, because I told hubby we could get 4’ hardware cloth. Now, I’m having trouble finding some. I was going to get 1/4”, but it is only available locally in 23 gauge. Will that be sufficient? Do I need to get 1/2“ 19-gauge instead. I was hoping to use 1/4” to help keep snakes out of the coop. Any suggestions on where to buy hardware cloth online that has fast shipping? It is a large space (10x20’), so I don’t want to have to redo the hardware cloth later.

Try critterfence.com. they have great pricing and the product showed up in 3 days.

 

[cjsl]

We used 1/2” x 100’, 19 gauge black hardware cloth that we bought on Amazon. Ours was 36” (fit our design better) and the brand was Jackson Wire. At the time (Jan 2020) it was around $140 and free shipping.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Helpful hint Ive found building a few chicken tractors with 1/2 inch hardware cloth and with a 100 foot roll you will need 2 people, Oh which reminds me DONT DO 100 FOOT ROLLS.... You are much better off paying an extra $5 or so IIRC for 2 50 foot rolls since they are so much easier to manage. I'm a 6'2" 280 lb guy and trying to lift, manage, roll and cut 100' is just not worth it IMO. You might think otherwise but Ill measure my runs or tractors to make 50 work.

OK back to the helpful hint and this is going to be a terrible thing to visualize but Ill do my best, place the roll on the ground and unwind the end in the opposite direction of the curl and pull off about 12 inches, stand on that section on the ground, grab the roll and stand up, unwinding til you get to waist level then start walking forward on the wire while putting tension on the roll, hold the roll tautly and right at your body ( actually leaning your body back some so you feet are out in front as you are walking forward) while allowing your feet to duck walk on the wire. This mostly reverses the curl effect and allows the wire to lay straight. Tension (pulling up on the wire) while you are walking on it is the key to making it lay flat, then its much easier to work with. Hope that helps.
[/QUOTE/]
I’m 5’2” and did get the 100 ft roll. I had to get real creative rolling it out and cutting. I managed, but good golly what a workout.

 

[aart]

I’m 5’2” and did get the 100 ft roll. I had to get real creative rolling it out and cutting. I managed, but good golly what a workout.

 

[ChickenLittle5]

Thank you all for the great advice! There is a shortage of hardware cloth in my area (maybe everywhere?), so I ended up getting several 10’ long rolls of 1/2”. Not ideal as I’ll end up with a lot of short remnants, but it was all I could find, so I’ll make it work. I might have to temporarily use plywood on a few parts of the run until the stores around here restock. I looked at some of the recommended online sources, but shipping was $$$$! For now I just have to get these chickens out of my basement! They are 10 weeks old today and are too big/messy for the house. We were supposed to have the coop finished weeks ago, but the RAIN has been crazy around here!

 

[dirkandlorie]

I just got done putting up 1/4" that I got on Amazon. But from what I'm reading, I bought the wrong kind?!?!?!?! I'm a brand new chicken Mommy and don't know what the different gauges mean...but I just got done wrapping my 20'x30' enclosure with the 3' high 1/4" 23-gauge mesh hardware cloth and then 1" poultry netting for the entire roof of the enclosure. ????

Have had 1/4 inch hardware cloth on my coop for 10 years (top, all sides, and 3 feet under neath too) . It has never deteriorated in any way, I have also never had a snake, mouse, or any predators make it into my coop. We are surrounded by coyotes, mountain lions, racoons, possums, hawks, and worst of all neighbors dogs! Don't worry!

 

[Kymbers_crew]

Bought my 1/2” x4’x100’ on amazon. It was the best price I could find.

Same for me. Actually got the 1/5” first & it is super thin - better for snake fencing on perimeter fence to Help keep snakes out of my backyard & away from our dogs & rodent fencing in the garden - just wish I’d only bought one roll of the 1:4” but I’ll find a use eventually

 

[OliversGrandma]

We are currently building the coop and run. We spaced the posts 4 ft on center, because I told hubby we could get 4’ hardware cloth. Now, I’m having trouble finding some. I was going to get 1/4”, but it is only available locally in 23 gauge. Will that be sufficient? Do I need to get 1/2“ 19-gauge instead. I was hoping to use 1/4” to help keep snakes out of the coop. Any suggestions on where to buy hardware cloth online that has fast shipping? It is a large space (10x20’), so I don’t want to have to redo the hardware cloth later.

We buy our 1/2” hardwire thru Wayfair.com. Free shipping and it comes in many lengths. Best price we have found.

 

[donddon]

We buy our 1/2” hardwire thru Wayfair.com. Free shipping and it comes in many lengths. Best price we have found.

I just bought a 4' x 100' roll from Wayfair, thanks to you! It's roughly 1/3 the price of the HWC at Home Depot, and it is actually available. I appreciate the tip!