Hardware cloth gauge?

[beergnome]

Hi Chicken People,

I am making a mostly open-air coop and I have started putting on the hardware cloth. I've used the 23gauge stuff (1/4in openings) because that's what I had around. Should I have gone with the sturdier 19gauge (1/2in openings)? Our predators are raccoons and opossums. The coop is raised inside a fenced yard.

Thanks!

 

[beergnome]

Oh, and the hardware cloth will be securely fastened by sandwiching it between wood-screwed boards or using sturdy poultry staples.

Thanks again.

 

[elmo]

Gee, I honestly don't know what to tell you. 23 gauge is quite a bit thinner than the 19 gauge, but the 1/4" openings are so small, I wonder if any of the bigger critters would be able to get a claw or a tooth in there to get a good grip on it to rip it or chew it. You won't get any rats in there, that's for sure.

I use the 19 gauge myself, although I've been a little bit nervous about whether it is strong enough to withstand a raccoon attack. So far, my pens' defenses haven't been tested.

 

[silkiechicken]

It will probably be fine with such the small openings. However, if you sandwich, I would also drive some nails though so it's "sown" into the sandwich, so nothing can bite/pull the wire out of the sandwich.