Hardware cloth question

[MiaS]

Hi peeps!
Chicken run question; if I do not have racoons in my area do I need hardware cloth all the way to the top of my run? What other predators might be able to reach up high? If I could save some cash using another type of wire that would be pretty great. We don't have racoons in Alberta. Skunks, fox, coyote and raptors but no racoons...

If I am using hardware cloth, what gauge is recommended?

 

[Ms Clucky]

I wouldn't use hardware cloth at all. Skunks can climb as well as coons. I would use chicken wire and double it if you can. Foxes can also climb.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I wouldn't use hardware cloth at all. Skunks can climb as well as coons. I would use chicken wire and double it if you can. Foxes can also climb.

A skunk and fox can chew right through chicken wire but not hardware cloth. Even double wrapping chicken wire won’t work. A coyote would make short work of chicken wire.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Hi peeps!
Chicken run question; if I do not have racoons in my area do I need hardware cloth all the way to the top of my run? What other predators might be able to reach up high? If I could save some cash using another type of wire that would be pretty great. We don't have racoons in Alberta. Skunks, fox, coyote and raptors but no racoons...

If I am using hardware cloth, what gauge is recommended?

Use 19 gauge hardware cloth.

 

[MiaS]

No way is chicken wire stronger than hardware cloth...19 gauge it is!

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

No way is chicken wire stronger than hardware cloth...19 gauge it is!

What else is your run made of? Chain link?

 

[MiaS]

No I'm just planning on 2 x4 framing with hardware cloth, just wondered if I could use something lighter partway up but won't bother if a skunk or coyote could climb a fence...

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

No I'm just planning on 2 x4 framing with hardware cloth, just wondered if I could use something lighter partway up but won't bother if a skunk or coyote could climb a fence...

Yeah they both can climb. I have HWC all around my coop and run with the run also being chain link. I lock my chickens up at night so they stay pretty safe if I condone them to the run during inclement weather. They usually free range during the day.

 

[Folly's place]

Weasels and mink, also rats can climb too.
Bears? Add electric.
Big dogs? Electric and/ or 2"x4" woven wire over the hardware cloth on the lower 4'.
Mine is all stapled to the framing, then 1"x4" boards screwed over the top.
Mary

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Weasels and mink, also rats can climb too.
Bears? Add electric.
Big dogs? Electric and/ or 2"x4" woven wire over the hardware cloth on the lower 4'.
Mine is all stapled to the framing, then 1"x4" boards screwed over the top.
Mary

I have a personal dislike of hot wires. Not that they don’t work, I grabbed one by accident and believe me, you don’t get to let go!