Hardware cloth advice

[Corgisbunniesnchicks]

I’m a newbie. We don’t have chickens yet—planning to get some chicks next year. So right now we’re planning the coop and run. I want to put hardware cloth everywhere to be safe because I’m a worrier and we live in the woods. I’ve never had any pet outside so it’s going to be an adjustment to have my “babies” outside and I want to take every precaution possible. That said I also wanted the PVC coated hardware cloth for endurance but I’m having trouble finding it in the 1/4”. There is no problem getting it in the 1/2” though—in any width or length. My question is this...is it more important, safety wise, to get the 1/4” and just get galvanized? Or is the 1/2” safe enough? Another option is to put the galvanized 1/4” in the coop where it’s more protected from weather, then use the 1/2” PVC coated for everything else. Any advice is appreciated, as well as ideas on where to get the best prices on galvanized and PVC coated hardware cloth in large amounts. Thanks!

 

[CoopintheWoods]

I think that the 1/2" would be fine for the outdoor run, but I would recommend the 1/4" for the coop. My chickens have chicken wire for the outdoor run, and 1/4" hardware cloth on their coop windows, and it's worked well for us. Good luck!

 

[aart]

1/2" should be fine for everywhere, as long as it is attached very securely.
The only thing that can get thru is smaller mice and snakes.
For lower down the addition of heavier larger mesh might be a good idea against canines.

 

[Corgisbunniesnchicks]

Thanks for your advice! I forgot to mention that the entire coop and run will be built inside a large fenced in area that has heavier mesh but it is only 4 ft tall. I’m sure we have coyotes but never seen them and we have occasional neighbor dogs that escape but they would first have to jump the 4 ft fence to get to the coop and run. We have a corgi but he’s super scared of everything—runs from my bunnies unless they have their back turned and then he sneaks a sniff!
So hopefully the outer fence will be a little deterrent and then we will get the strongest pvc coated 1/2” hardware cloth for the run I think. It’s gonna cost a bundle but hopefully worth it in the long run. For the coop I’m using 1/4”, no question, whether or not I can get the coated type. This whole set up is right at/below my bedroom window and I’m a light sleeper. If there was something trying to get in, do you think I would hear it? And could I do something in time? Sorry—I’m just a big worry wart!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Just keep in mind that 1/4" hwc is generally thinner wire, so checking the gauge on the wire is a good idea. But if mice are a concern then it'll work against those better than 1/2".

 

[Parront]

Thanks for your advice! I forgot to mention that the entire coop and run will be built inside a large fenced in area that has heavier mesh but it is only 4 ft tall. I’m sure we have coyotes but never seen them and we have occasional neighbor dogs that escape but they would first have to jump the 4 ft fence to get to the coop and run. We have a corgi but he’s super scared of everything—runs from my bunnies unless they have their back turned and then he sneaks a sniff!
So hopefully the outer fence will be a little deterrent and then we will get the strongest pvc coated 1/2” hardware cloth for the run I think. It’s gonna cost a bundle but hopefully worth it in the long run. For the coop I’m using 1/4”, no question, whether or not I can get the coated type. This whole set up is right at/below my bedroom window and I’m a light sleeper. If there was something trying to get in, do you think I would hear it? And could I do something in time? Sorry—I’m just a big worry wart!!

About doing anything in time, sorry no. Where I lived in Palm Springs, CA dogs were taken by coyotes, from their owners, while walking on a leash. Best to prevent that!

 

[ChiknGordonBlu]

I live in So Cal with a whole lot of predators out and about of all varieties. When I made mine I used the 1/2" for the top half of the run and then 1/4" on the bottom just because it will help with snakes and other small critters getting in. I do however use a metal shed as a coop that I lock up every night. We have coyotes as well who are pretty bold in our area, I have my run and coop away from the house down the hill a bit in our corral, which doesn't have anything but a horse fence so nothing to keep any predators out. So far, fingers crossed, I haven't had any issues and no signs of anything getting in the run or even messing with the HWC. I do know the coyotes out here as soon as they even find anything they are howling up a storm, so I would imagine anything trying to get in would not be stealthy about it. Hope this is somewhat helpful, i'm still super new to this as well.

 

[Featherballs]

I am in SoCal, in the country but not wooded, we use 1/2' galv. with a strip of 1/4" along the bottom or buried some, to keep out the small critters and sneks out. Galvanized should last you a long time as long as you use galvanized staples as well, if you use stainless or something else it corrode due to galvanic corrosion. bury your hardware cloth at least a foot if you have skunks and coons, they will try to dig under, but if diggers are a serious problem there, put in a floor to your run or a locking coop door to enclose the hens at night.