Hardware Cloth on bottom of the run...

[hbhoffman]

Just for the record, I did put 1/4 " hardware cloth on all sides AND the bottom of my pen with screws spaced 1/2" or less about 2,000 used! It has kept the rats out and the hens safely inside! I have not had an issue with any hurt feet or toes despite the rats continued displacing of the sand -about 80 lbs from under my 4'x6' pen. I can hear and have seen the rats trying their best to get in to no avail.

 

[welasharon]

You need some good sized cats!

 

[hbhoffman]

I'd prefer rat snakes! My neighbors up the street think it is nice to feed these sewer rats! Ugh!

 

[Michael OShay]

Just for the record, I did put 1/4 " hardware cloth on all sides AND the bottom of my pen with screws spaced 1/2" or less about 2,000 used! It has kept the rats out and the hens safely inside! I have not had an issue with any hurt feet or toes despite the rats continued displacing of the sand -about 80 lbs from under my 4'x6' pen. I can hear and have seen the rats trying their best to get in to no avail.

Hardware cloth is wonderful stuff. It has saved many chickens owners a lot of tears. )

 

[hbhoffman]

It is worth the cost! And hassle of finding the right stuff.

 

[MsRiderUp]

I have started many baby chicks in a brooder pen with a 1/4 or 1/8 inch hardware cloth floor so the dropping would fall through. While a 100% hardware cloth floor that is 12 inches off the ground creates a few extra callouses once the chicks and their mom was on free range everything was fine.

Scratching is an instinctive thing with chickens and they will scratch regardless what type of floor you have. But I would be afraid that the dirt and sand would encourage more scratching than a plain elevated wire floor would and that could lead to more pulled toe nails and grossly callused feet.

Hi,

I am raising some baby chicks in a brooder. Brooder is made of plexiglass ends of baby cribs all put together (sort of cute --- we have a real 'nursery'!). Floor of brooder is removable OSB or plywood, with vinyl covering. Whole thing is elevated (and in our sunroom with heat lamps --- particularly since we're raising chicks in the winter). I spread pine shavings on the floor. As the chicks grow, it doesn't take long for the floor to be dirty, and my pine shavings cost to go up. Was considering replacing the OSB floor with some 1/4-inch hardware cloth that I have. I want a more efficient way to keep the brooder clean, and preferably also decrease cost of pine shavings. Had thought of making some kind of dropping pan to go under the brooder. Main question is, will the 1/4-inch hardware cloth hurt the babies? I have chicks from just-hatched to 1-month old in these brooders.Have attached a couple of photos (have two ages of chicks, so separate brooders)


Sorry that the brooder area is messy. Chicks are messy . . .
. Thanks!

 

[ChickenRisa]

Awesome brooder idea! Where did you get all the crib ends?

I would be interested in knowing this too, since I am planning on building some brooders, but for broody hens to hatch their own chicks on. Seems like most of the plans I've come across say to use hardware cloth on the bottom to help with ventilation.

 

[MsRiderUp]

The crib ends were a Craigslist freebie score. We have extras also, so can alter/add to the design as the chicks grow. I imagine that some hospitals might have these when they have their surplus sales.

Actually, I think they were used as easels before I acquired them, so they've been recycled a few times.

Today the chicks are flying out of the brooder! Time to make the lid.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I am raising some baby chicks in a brooder. .....Was considering replacing the OSB floor with some 1/4-inch hardware cloth that I have. I want a more efficient way to keep the brooder clean... Main question is, will the 1/4-inch hardware cloth hurt the babies?....

Hardware cloth will create a few callous, just like working with your hands will cause. Remember, these wire bottomed pens are not meant to be permanent housing, turn the biddies out at 6 weeks or so, and their tootsies will quickly return to their school girl appearance.

 

[hbhoffman]

Starting at about 3 months of age, I had my girls in their 1/2" hardware cloth 4'x 6' pen for about 9 months. It worked really well! No predators got in. The sand was easy to remove when we did move it to my friend's house. We are now going to use it as a grow out pen and when adding new hens. (They now have a half acre fenced pasture to roam in.)
Could you add a cardboard pieces to the bottom of the pen? Did you seal the OSB? Thoughts for the next round... love the crib brooder idea!