Hardware Cloth question

[Weasleymum]

I see the use of 1/4" hardware cloth mentioned a lot here-- to line small chicken tractors, inside of windows/vents, etc. What can get in through the 1/2" wire that can't get through the 1/4"?

I was going to line the run for my tractor with the 1/4" as instructed, but the Lowes here happens to be out of it. I can just wait until they restock, but my husband was asking me why the 1/2" wouldn't work... and I don't know!

 

[MandyH]

Little legs can go thru 1/2 inch. Believe me if you have ever had to shear the meat off a chicks leg trying to get it out of 1/2 inch hardware cloth, you would know EXACTLY why. Please do wait til they restock.

 

[pkeeler]

Kristen, why wouldn't you cut the hardware cloth instead of the bird's leg?

Unless you are using it as a floor in a brooder, I think the 1/2" would be fine. I used 1/2" for the windows in my coop, nothing has gone through. The 1/2" is easier to work with.

 

[keljonma]

1/4" is more predator proof. Raccoons can reach through 1/2".

 

[Alaskan]

My reason for getting the 1/4 inch (didn't know about the feet getting stuck) is that we have the entire weasel family up here. The little stoats can smash themselves through a 1/2 inch gap and the kill every chicken in one night.

 

[spottedtail]

We have alot of predators up here too.
The growing pen is made up of 1/2" hardware cloth.
Nothing has gotten through it in 4 years of use.
The 1/2" is also stronger wire than the 1/4".

spot

 

[CarlaRiggs]

Our coop windows are covered in 1/2" hardware cloth; I can't imagine a raccoon being able to stick its hand in and do damage. 1/2" is really quite small!
1/4" may help to keep out mice, though.... if you believe you'll have a problem with that, you might want to get the smaller size.
***Just make sure the gauge of the hardcloth is 19 or 18. ***
Any higher number (which equals a lighter weight cloth) may make it easier for a predator to get into the area.

Carla

 

[Ladysonja]

When we were at the Ace Hardware, we saw the 1/4 hard ware and the 1/2 hard ware.

We picked the 1/2 inch because it looked stronger and they had a 48 inch roll and a 24 inch roll.

Hope this helps.

 

[MandyH]

Quote:
The turkey had it's leg bent at the knee and then shoved through, with the 1/4 inch hardware cloth there wasn't any room to get the wire cutters in there with it's knee too. I applied vaseline and we had to wiggle it out. He had some skin tears but i treated them as soon as we got him loose and he's fine now. But I will say that it was horrible at the time.