Hardware cloth and staple Hardware cloth

[Backyard Bruce]

19 gauge wire, it's not as bullet proof as you've been led to believe.

I agree it’s pretty flimsy.
My solution was to use the 1/2” hardware cloth stapled (with pneumatic 1,1/2” staple gun)cross sectional as to catch two wires in one.
Then I saw a coon pulling back on it I decided to put 2X4 welded wire on top of that.
It won’t stop a bear but everything else down from there I have no worries for.

 

[imnukensc]

HWC seems to be the holy grail here for some reason. 1/2 inch X 1 inch galvanized welded wire is much better. You can also get it in 1x1 and 1x2. Easier to work with and much stronger than HWC. I have absolutely no HWC on my run or on the coop. Wish folks here would quit recommending HWC. It sucks.

 

[ZMamagoose]

HWC seems to be the holy grail here for some reason. 1/2 inch X 1 inch galvanized welded wire is much better. You can also get it in 1x1 and 1x2. Easier to work with and much stronger than HWC. I have absolutely no HWC on my run or on the coop. Wish folks here would quit recommending HWC. It sucks.[/Q

That's disappointing to hear since I just built the run with all hc cloth, I ended up nailing strips of wood and didn't have a problem with it breaking so I really hope it holds up

 

[karnie123]

That's disappointing to hear since I just built the run with all hc cloth, I ended up nailing strips of wood and didn't have a problem with it breaking so I really hope it holds up

I am almost done with mine and chose HWC too. I don’t necessarily agree that welded wire is better like the previous posts. I think it depends on the gauge wire to me. The HWC was the best choice for me but may not be for everyone. Screws and washers were great. Strips of wood worked in some areas.

 

[TK421]

I think it’s the small gauge hardware cloth and not the staples. You should be able to find thicker stuff. I was going to suggest wood strips or screws with large washers but it seems you’ve already put in the strips. I hope that works, but if something finds it’s way in (like it did in my coop) my suggestion is to replace it rather than patch it (like I did). Patching the same place gets old and I reinforced to the responsible parties that that precise location was easy access.

 

[Lonesome Dough]

Problem is the garbage wire the box stores sell which is only brittle 19 gauge. For good quality 16 and 14 gauge look up Klubertanz in Wisconsin. I used their 16 gauge 1/2x1/2 vinyl coated wire to make critter proof screens, almost tough enough to keep a grizzly out. I also covered the lower four feet of my chainlink pen with 1x1 welded wire to keep any critters from reaching in.