Hardware cloth turning white??

[chickity-chick]

I had installed 19 gauge galvanized hardware cloth in my chicken run and it’s now getting a white powdery coating on it? What is this? Are my chickens going to be safe with this? Thank you for your advice!

 

[MarkJr]

Zinc will turn powdery white as it oxidizes. Don’t think you have anything to worry about.

 

[aart]

Yes, it can oxidize....but it shouldn't be excessive.
How long has it been up?
Have you 'washed' it with anything?
Curious just how powdery it is...pics?

 

[chickity-chick]

Yes, it can oxidize....but it shouldn't be excessive.
How long has it been up?
Have you 'washed' it with anything?
Curious just how powdery it is...pics?

Its been up a two weeks- its just got a light white powder coating- i can get pictures later to send.

 

[Straw Hat]

Its been up a two weeks- its just got a light white powder coating- i can get pictures later to send.

Is it uniformly white, or in certain areas? Has it been under a sprinkler? Have you had a lot of rain? Could be that there are minerals or an an elevated PH in either your water or precipitation that is reacting with something in the wire.

 

[Pullet Press]

Its been up a two weeks- its just got a light white powder coating- i can get pictures later to send.

Two weeks? I'm no pro or anything, but that doesn't sound normal.

 

[RoseHawke]

Neh, it's cool. I wouldn't worry about it. Rust I'd worry about, oxidizing, not so much.