Hardware cloth 1/2" 19 gauge Or Chicken wire?

[Freeholder]

Local feed stores most likely carry rolls of hardware cloth in several different meshes. Hardware/building supply stores should also have it, it would be in the fencing section. And locally a steel supply place carries it.

After having a neighbor dog tear a hole through the chicken wire on a chicken tractor and kill my six Silkie hens that had just started laying, I would definitely go with the hardware cloth, although a large dog can tear through that, too.

Kathleen

 

[chickengeorgeto]

First I am going to say that 1" (one inch) chicken wire is much stronger than the two inch hex variety. Nothing is ever 100% varmint proof unless you buy a gun safe to house your birds.

A 1/2 x1/2 inch 18" wide apron of galvanized hardware cloth laid on the ground all the way around the outside portion of your pen will keep out 95% of the varmints especially those who like to dig and scratch in the dirt. Most average dogs, large coons, etc. are capable of chewing or tearing holes in chicken wire as well as ripping it loose from its attachment points.

Use real "U" shaped 1/4 inch fence staples to attach your wire whether you use chicken wire or hardware cloth. Make sure the staples are driven secure and deep into the wood. If you are using a soft wood to construct your coop frame, after the chicken wire or hardware cloth is stapled to the outsides of the wood frame, cover or fish plate the staples and wire edges with a 1X4 inch boards to make sure the staples hold and to back up and hold down the wire.

There is a green vinyl coated 1 inch chicken wire that handles rust better than most chicken wires. There is also a nice selection of 2X4 inch, 1X2 inch, 1X1 inch, and 1 X 1/2 inch welded fence wire that I think is heaver, stronger, and less expensive than 1/2 or 1/4 inch hardware cloth. When I first started dabbling in chickens for fun and not profit "chicken" wire was often referred to as "garden" fencing. Without care when installing "garden" fencing it will only keep your tomatoes from running off. You should only think of it as the final inter defense or moat. But as that it works well.

If any of you need it or want it, there is a horse wire or "no climb" wire that is 2X4 inches by 5 or 6 feet tall. It is constructed like "hog" wire or "field" fencing and will keep most hens in and a lot of vermin out.

At one time or the other I have used all the above (I think) kinds of wire fencing.

If using two layers of wire it is best to use "J" clips or else hog ringers to fasten both layers of wire together.

Link to small gauge welded wire:
http://www.ecvv.com/product/2993633.html