Hardware cloth versus welded wire.

[susania]

We used both. Hardware cloth around the entire run and wrapped welded wire for the bottom portion of the run for the larger predators. We also installed a predator apron and put in a solid roof. Nothing has gotten in or out!

 

[sharrielee]

I have posts dug into the ground, chicken wire on the ground inside the run (to protect from digging) and welded wire on outside. I use fence staples because regular staple gun staples will rust and eventually pull loose. Racoons are very strong, they cannot pull out fence staples that you hammer in! If you wanted added protection you could run 16ga. wire around the bottom so no reaching in from the outside. I also have a solid corrugated slanted roof. I have never had anything break in.

 

[elmo]

100% agree. My dad used the 2 X 4 dog wire in the first construction, I went over the top of that with chicken wire, both failed.

This wire I'm asking about is 1/2 inch X 1 inch. I don't want to use this only to have it fail like the other two kinds of wire did.

View attachment 2625275
I assume 19 gauge is better than this 16 gauge?

Me too, but I'm glad I learned the lesson now before any chickens were harmed, though this explains why when I was a teen, a rooster was killed through the 2 X 4 welded wire. I plan to redo this whole run so this won't happen again.

No, with wire gauge the higher the number the SMALLER the wire. 16 gauge wire is thicker and therefore stronger than 19 gauge. I've got 16 gauge wire covering the windows and vents in my coop, and that stuff is heavy. I can still remember how much my hand hurt from making all those cuts with wire cutters.

I have 18 gauge wire on my chicken run and it's plenty strong for keeping out raccoons.

Two other factors are important besides wire gauge. You've zeroed in on the spacing between the wires: if a raccoon can manage to put its grabby paws between the wires it can pull pieces of your poor chicken out, bit by bit. Rats and snakes and wild birds can also get into your run if the spacing between wires is large enough. For these reasons, I use wire with 1/2 by 1/2 spacing. Anything small enough to get through that opening is going to have to worry about being eaten by the chickens.

The other factor is how the wire is fastened to the frame. If you use staples, that will be a weak point. I used screws and metal washers. I still inspect the wire regularly for rusting and the frame for loosening screws and rot.

 

[schmedlap]

you might want to look into getting an inexpensive .22. it will help reduce the predator population.

 

[schmedlap]

No, with wire gauge the higher the number the SMALLER the wire. 16 gauge wire is thicker and therefore stronger than 19 gauge. I've got 16 gauge wire covering the windows and vents in my coop, and that stuff is heavy. I can still remember how much my hand hurt from making all those cuts with wire cutters.

tin snips work great cutting wire cloth. quicker too

 

[Desert Gramma]

We use 1/4” hardware cloth; it’s welded, sturdy and predator proof.

 

[Lilbitsnpieces]

i prefer 1/4 " hardware cloth..and i have had a momma coon come in the house during the day and take her choice of those laying their egg for the day..now the dog patrols..

 

[PhilSanchez]

Until I joined this site, I didn't realize chicken wire wasn't good. Yesterday, a raccoon proved this to be true as it tore up weeks worth of work. Thankfully, it couldn't get into the house so all the chickens are safe, but we are going to redo the run and get rid of the chicken wire since it is useless. We already bought some welded wire, but I've seen a lot of people on here talk about hardware cloth. So in your opinion, which is better?

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I reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally don't want to hear something banging on metal, go outside to investigate, and find this again:

View attachment 2625232

View attachment 2625236

If you really want to put a stop to all of it, the electric fence works, I have two wires up around my coop and run, one wire about 4” off of the ground the other at about a foot. I know it is a pain to get electricity to your pen but it will let you sleep better at night. Get everything you need at TSC cheap and easy. The hardest part driving the brass rod into the ground. Even the squirrels stay away.

 

[Maggie13]

I use 1/4 " hardware cloth also .
We attached it with screws and fender washers.

 

[goldenyears]

100% agree. My dad used the 2 X 4 dog wire in the first construction, I went over the top of that with chicken wire, both failed.

This wire I'm asking about is 1/2 inch X 1 inch. I don't want to use this only to have it fail like the other two kinds of wire did.

View attachment 2625275
I assume 19 gauge is better than this 16 gauge?

Me too, but I'm glad I learned the lesson now before any chickens were harmed, though this explains why when I was a teen, a rooster was killed through the 2 X 4 welded wire. I plan to redo this whole run so this won't happen again.

The smaller the number of wire gauge, the thicker the wire. Some engineer came up with that idea (but not me!).