Hardware cloth/ Chicken wire alturnative

[mackenziesmomma]

I love building coops/ tractors but really dislike working w/ hw cloth/ wire. Is there anything else you can use that is easier to work with?

 

[ChickenToes]

Hmm...I know they make plastic poultry netting, it's made out of the same stuff as that bright orange snowfence. But that would be pretty flimsy when it came to predator protection.

 

[brooster]

coons can fit thier hand through chicken wire. I agree, it is hard to work with, but i think it is best. Now for a run, i would never use it, i use 2 by 2, but it souds like you a talking about a chicken tractor, and hardware cloth or 1 by 1 is best.

 

[mackenziesmomma]

What is one by one?

 

[brooster]

Just a size of fence, it is hard to work with tho

 

[mackenziesmomma]

is this any better?
http://www.academyfence.com/vinylcoatedhexnetting.html

 

[sianara]

Quote:
I used this vinyl coated hex netting when I first built my runs 6 years ago. At the time I "thought" it was predator proof but I was inexperienced and wrong. I've noticed lately that it's ripped in many places.

I haven't had a predator problem since I lock the chickens and ducks up in their coops/houses every night but the hex netting has not stood up to the test of time. I have an 8x16 chicken run and an 10x17 duck run built with this stuff. The run roofs are covered with that wavy plastic roofing material. Of course at the time (and now TOO come to think of it!) we couldn't afford to enclose the runs with hardware cloth but if I ever win the lottery that's exactly what I'll do! NO WAIT--- I'll build brand NEW runs with hardware cloth instead!!!

All kidding aside, it's not a bad alternative to fence in runs or yards as long as you realize it is basically chicken wire covered in vinyl. This does NOT make it more predator proof as I had previously assumed.

 

[Year of the Rooster]

What about that privacy fence stuff? Is that what its called? Its alot sturdier but the holes are bigger. Just a thought that passed my mind...

 

[mackenziesmomma]

Thanks for the replies!

Sianara- that is so good to know about the vinyl coated hex netting. Thank you so much. That was what I was going to use on my next coop (I have a crazy obsession for building coops/ tractors). I HATE hardware cloth. My hands are cut up and sore from installing on the coop on working on now. agh... guess that is the safest though.

If anyone has any other suggestion, I love to hear it!

 

[cmom]

Quote:
Quote:
I use Galvanized Chicken Wire / Poultry Wire. I have seen racoons, foxes and coyotes on my property. So far they haven't gone near my birds. I do leave a red light on in their coop 24/7. I tried the plastic wire but I prefer the galvanized chicken wire.