Hardware cloth vs chicken wire question

[Garden Gal]

We are getting ready to build our run tomorrow, and I had pretty much decided on using hardware cloth for the added protection from predators. However, if the chickens are going to be locked up at night, does it make a difference? The coop will be locked down with hardware cloth over window screens. The run will also be covered - is a netting significant enough for daytime protection?

many thanks!

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Some predators like dogs are out during the day. Big dogs can get through chicken wire with nooooooooooo problem

ETA---You could always make it with 2x4 fencing and then put about 1-2 ft of chicken wire around the bottom to keep the chicks from getting out.

 

[mom2chicksandpups]

We have pens made from chicken wire and one made from hardware cloth that we got for free from a relative. Nothing has got into any of our pens yet. It all seems to work well so far.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Welded wire would be a LOT cheaper than hardware cloth

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...egory_10551_10001_140216_14375_-1_14359|14375

This gives an idea of whats available, but you may find cheaper prices if you shop around

 

[lunkerchicken]

I had the same thought. I have chicken wire surrounding my run. The only thing I did was add more 2 x 4 support towards the bottom of the run. I don't anticipate any problems but I guess time will tell. Good luck with your decision.

 

[CityChook]

I put chicken wire on the top half of my run. While nothing has tried to get in (girls are locked up at night), it did get pretty rusty in last winter's weather. I am somewhat concerned about it's structural integrity - probably wouldn't take much to rip it open - but haven't spent the money yet to put the hardware wire up yet. Just say'n.

 

[hempoh]

*

 

[patandchickens]

You know, people (me included) probably dont' mention often enough on here "use GALVANIZED mesh, whatever kind of mesh you use". Most thicker fence wires only come in galvanized, but chickewire and hardwarecloth both come in galvanized and nongalvanized versions, and as CityChooks is finding out, it is a big mistake to use the nongalvanized in the coop. Especially for chickenwire, it don't last long at ALL.

Personally I feel my runs need to be Big Dog Proof, but if you're willing to run the risk, it's up to you.

I like 1x1 welded wire mesh, or 2x4" welded wire mesh with 1/2" (NOT the usual 1") chickenwire added on the inside for the bottom 2-3' of fence. Either needs to be heavy gauge and, of course, galvanized.

JMO,

Pat

 

[joebryant]

I used 1/4-inch hardware cloth inside the coop on my windows and 100% 1/2-inch hardware cloth for my run (see MyPage below my picture). I think that it's poor economics to skip on good wiring because it can/will be there for many years of not having to worry. Not even a snake can get into my coop, and any snake that can go through 1/2-inch wire can probably be eaten by the chickens in the run, definitely killed by them.

There are MANY small predators that can go through 2- x 4-inch wire. I don't own a square foot of chicken wire; never will either because the price difference for various wiring is not that great.

 

[patandchickens]

My rationale for being personally satisfied with 2x4 or chainlink is that all predators that can get thru that, can also get through the tiny gaps that are almost inevitable in a run fenced with smaller mesh. Really, it is intensely difficult to build a truly weasel or rat-impermeable run, and harder still to KEEP it that way.

Fortunately, the small things that will go thru those size meshes virtually never hunt by day, so for the majority of us who close our chickens in at night, keeping weasels out of the run, or baby raccoons, is really not such a big issue. (Main exception would be someone with lots of snakes coming in and eating chicks. I've never known anyone in this situation but I suppose it could exist. You'd want a wholly hardwarecloth run then, for sure. Or if you have big tough city rats that actually attack chickens rather than just eating eggs.)

While the price difference is not large if you are buying new and only have one small run, the price difference can be *considerable* if you are comparing secondhand 2x4mesh or chainlink (both of which are easily available, in contrast to I never yet seen large rolls of secondhand hardwarecloth in useable condition) and talking about large or multiple runs.

JME,

Pat