Hardware cloth flooring? Is it safe?

[LittleMissCountry]

I also have a fairly small coop...a little larger than yours, and have four chickens. I bought a portable chicken run on Amazon for around $50 that was twice the size of the run that came with my coop. It is great for letting them out during the day while I am home, so I don't have to watch them every minute but don't have to worry about predators. That might be a good option for you during the day time.

 

[DuckLady]

I have cleaned up this thread of rudeness and unkind behavior.
My apologies, Graceyyy for your less than stellar intro to BYC. You are welcome here.

Thanks to those of you who responded kindly.

 

[aart]

My only worry is whether or not the hardware cloth will cause issues to our chickens feet.

It can definitely cause foot problems/injuries, they scratch at the ground pretty hard. Aprons are a much better choice IMO.

Good examples of apron installation, tho I'd not recommend 1/2" HC...go with 14ga 1x2 or 1x1, will hold up much longer and is easier to lay flat.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1110498/wire-around-coop#post_17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

 

[Mealyworms]

I only want to put HWC under my nest boxes to keep out snakes. I hate snakes. So far after 10 years I have never had a snake or any other type of predator get in my coops and I have three.

 

[Sudsyark]

Wire bottom is ok if that is not the only thing they are standing on. Free range during the day or if just a few chickens, you can put some kind of bedding down so it's not just bare wire they are standing on.

 

[featherhead007]

Wire bottom is ok if that is not the only thing they are standing on. Free range during the day or if just a few chickens, you can put some kind of bedding down so it's not just bare wire they are standing on.

I was gonna say dat!

 

[flbukeye]

I have enclosed the entire run space of my coop on hardware cloth to protect against predators. We live in a heavily wooded area with a 200 acre game preserve across the street, so we will encounter every possible predator. My only worry is whether or not the hardware cloth will cause issues to our chickens feet. I've seen so many coops with aprons to predator proof, but i have also seen some off the ground runs with mesh bottoms, so I am unsure which way is the best for our chickens?

So its been awhile. I am just starting out. Did you keep the hardware cloth and did you have any issues? I am thinking of doing the myself.