Hardware Cloth & OBS??

[NewHomesteader2010]

Quote:
What's the difference between welded wire and hardware cloth? I thought they were the same thing??

Can you tell I am in over my head??

at least I am asking before I get chickens...lol...all this for 8 chickens!!

 

[zookeeper15133]

Welded wire is heavier and galvanized before welding. It will last longer.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/fencing/welded-wire-fencing/cage-wire-36-x-25-ft-1-x-2-in--3627241
http://www.tractorsupply.com/fencing/welded-wire-fencing/hardware-cloth-10-ft-x-36-in--3627055

 

[lfzebra]

Welded wire is the type of fencing you would use for ie. goats. My understanding of hardware cloth comes from beekeeping. I use a screened bottom on my beehives and I make that bottom using #8 hardware cloth, so maybe its better explained describing it as a wire "mesh"???

If anyone knows different, please reply to this. My learning curve is constant.

 

[patandchickens]

Most people on this forum, me included, use "hardware cloth" to refer to welded wire mesh that is 1/2x1/2" or 1/4x1/4" -- implication being that you are GOING to use a galvanized version, although some versions are certainly *better* galvanized than others.

Whereas "welded wire" is used to refer to larger mesh sizes, from 1x1" on up; these are almost-invariably in heavier-gauge wire as well, and I will go out on a limb and say I'm not sure you can even FIND them in non-galvanized, although again there are certainly better and worse qualities of galvanization (and welding, and gauge)

To some extent it is a regional thing though and not everybody on the planet uses this same terminology.

By an apron, I mean take some good quality fence wire (what you are using for your fence is ok, or something vaguely comparable) that is 2-3' wide, and lay it flat on the ground outside the run fence all around the run. Attach it *securely* to the base of the run fence. Bend the free edge down a little and either peg it down real well and let turf grow up thru it, or weight/cover the wire with "something" (mulch, gravel, rocks, concrete rubble, pavers, whatever). You can also do this by using extra-tall run fencing material and bending the bottom 2-3' of it outwards at a right angle to create the same effect, but in most cases that leaves you with a shorter-than-desired run fence *and* is a bit of a nuisance.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[allpeepedout]

I believe that an "apron fence" is specifically a piece of fencing material laid out on top of the ground connecting to the base of a vertical fence. At least that's my understanding as you can purchase manufactured hinged fencing called this for such an application.

Pat, thanks for your input. (I am in construction mode also, pondering what to do. Neighbor just lost 22 to fox...).

 

[PapaChaz]

as for welded wire vs hardware cloth, Lew hasn't been here yet so in his place i will give his advice, LOL, if you're going to use hardware cloth, make sure you get the stuff that is welded and THEN is galvanized! not wire strands that are galvanized and then welded, the welds will be the weak part. as long as it's welded first, galvanized last, it will last as long as the welded wire type fencing.

as for apron vs 'buried' pat gave the perfect explanation, but my question is are you closing the access from coop to run every night? if your coop is on concrete, no worries about foxes digging in, if you close the pop doors at night, it wouldn't matter if foxes dig into the run, as long as they're gone when the chickens come out in the mornings!

 

[WayneT]

On OSB I have found that it will hold up better than standard exterior plywood. Now marine ply is a different story. There is a form of OSB that is double the price of standard OSB that will hold up extremely well.

I've left regular unpainted Osb out in the rain and snow for a few months and it was still in usable condition. If it's being used for exterior sheeting you should cover it with something like T1-11 board or a board and batten cover. The outer cover should be painted or stained. If the OSB is on the inside then just use a good exterior paint. Be sure to wrap the coop with house wrap before you put on the final sheeting. I know this sounds like a little over kill but it will pay off in the long run.

Hope this helps.

 

[wren]

Don't bury hardware cloth. If it's the good heavy stuff it's overkill and too pricey to bury. The hardware cloth I used took a kick from a horse and bent but held. Heavy gauge galvanized.

The ground looks flat. You could buy hog panels (type of heavy wire fencing), lay it down on the ground surrounding the coop, anchor it to the ground and or the shed, and call it a day. No digging required.

I thought this was a crazy idea but I have done it. You can mow right over it if your ground is flat.

 

[KMLake]

It looks like you might have tree branches overhanging your pen. If so, the wiley racoon will climb up the tree for an arial assault. My pen/coop site is also overhung by branches so I am completely enclosing sides (1.5 ft below soil level) and top. Cheers, KML

 

[NewHomesteader2010]

Thank you all SO much for your help. I had the "boss" (reads: DH) read over your answers as he understands much more than I!! We are heading off to the store today to pick up some of the cloth, so we'll see how it goes!!

KM - We do have a tree branch hanging over, but the DH plans to either cut the tree down (firewood) or at least cut the branches so there are none within 10'...regardless, we're still planning on covering the run!! Thank you for mentioning that!!

Thanks again everyone!!