Hardware cloth vs chicken wire

[Porch Chickens]

Our new coop is totally excellent and no birds or rats can get in anymore. Love the hardware cloth!
Ugly gate to right of coop is our fruit tree area, which is now also the chicken run.
Coop was made by San Tan Valley Coops in Arizona. They build and truck out to San Diego for far less than we could have a coop built here.


!


The ladies love their new digs!



Lots of roosting poles. Note that the rear panels can be easily removed for more ventilation in summer.
There is still hardware cloth there.


Trap door to run at bottom opens with pulley from outside run.
Note egg collection door above and then higher up there's an opening window with hardware cloth.
Foam is stuffed into the ventilation opening in eaves for winter to keep out drafts. Will open those in summer.


Upper nesting boxes for big girls


Lower nesting boxes for the silkies


Opens for easy cleaning and checking on the birds.
There's also an opening door next to upper nesting boxes for collecting eggs.



We painted the coop to look like one of our chicken's eggs.
Not really-- it's actually been the color of our house for years.
Just matches the eggs by coincidence!: )

 

[cloey011]

So I've been reading these very helpful posts, I'm getting my coop tomorrow and getting the area ready today, we're digging down the perimeter of the coop and run and burying hardware cloth about 12" all around. Someone suggested laying more of it on the run floor and then putting a couple of inches of soil over it. Is this a good idea, the chickens like to scratch and dig, will they get their claws stuck in the hardware cloth? Is it really necessary to put it on the floor to?
Thanks for any suggestions!!

 

[aart]

So I've been reading these very helpful posts, I'm getting my coop tomorrow and getting the area ready today, we're digging down the perimeter of the coop and run and burying hardware cloth about 12" all around. Someone suggested laying more of it on the run floor and then putting a couple of inches of soil over it. Is this a good idea, the chickens like to scratch and dig, will they get their claws stuck in the hardware cloth? Is it really necessary to put it on the floor to?
Thanks for any suggestions!!

I would not bury HC in the run, because of possibility of foot injury....might want an apron of it around the run perimeter inside as well as outside tho.
They like to dig deep holes, often near the wall.

Some reading on apron vs wall burying:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/320595/trench-vs-apron
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/760339/predator-proofing-apron-or-buried

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ne...&order=descending&Search=SEARCH&Search=SEARCH

 

[cloey011]

Thanks, this was helpful

 

[DreamsInPink]

I've seen it mentioned several times that 2x4 welded wire is somewhat of an ok alternative for hardware cloth... we HAVE welded wire... but we do NOT have very much hardware cloth and I'm about maxed out budget wise on our coop and I have chicks that NEED to be in the coop asap.

We have a slant roof, with perhaps a 1.5 feet overhang on the low side. No over hang on the other 3 sides. (not how I wanted it, but it is what it is) The short walls have the triangular shaped opening from the slope that will be relatively easy to put the HC on. But, what about the eaves under the overhang, around the 2x4s. How in the world do you get up around all that with wire? And would the welded wire be sufficient at that height or am I going to need to purchase more HC?

Thank you!

 

[aart]

I've seen it mentioned several times that 2x4 welded wire is somewhat of an ok alternative for hardware cloth... we HAVE welded wire... but we do NOT have very much hardware cloth and I'm about maxed out budget wise on our coop and I have chicks that NEED to be in the coop asap.

We have a slant roof, with perhaps a 1.5 feet overhang on the low side. No over hang on the other 3 sides. (not how I wanted it, but it is what it is) The short walls have the triangular shaped opening from the slope that will be relatively easy to put the HC on. But, what about the eaves under the overhang, around the 2x4s. How in the world do you get up around all that with wire? And would the welded wire be sufficient at that height or am I going to need to purchase more HC?

Thank you!

Do you have a coop build page that shows what area needs to be protected? Please link it here.

Look at My Coop page....I put the mesh outside the coop on the underside of the rafters to cover the eaves.

2x4 is not going to keep out smaller predators like weasels, rats, small raccoons....but if it's all you've got<shrugs>

 

[DreamsInPink]

No I don't have a page for my coop. I'm looking at your pictures and I see where you did the HC but there aren't any close up pictures. The way mine is built, I don't think it'll be able to be flat.. the HC. It's going to have to be cut and bent and fitted to the eaves. I will get some pictures this afternoon of what I mean.

If welded wire won't keep those predators out, why is it even recommended? I'm really confused by that part.

I posted a new thread last evening asking several questions regarding finishing up the inside design of the coop. No replies. I'm not sure why. I'm a little discouraged and frustrated. And feeling like I should have just used google.

Do you mind if I ask what size boards you used to frame your interior wall? Where your nesting boxes are. That's almost exactly the way I want to do mine. I really like your design. Looks very user friendly, which is what I'm going for as well.

Thanks for everything @aart! You've really helped me a lot since I've joined.

 

[paneubert]

If welded wire won't keep those predators out, why is it even recommended? I'm really confused by that part.

It isn't the material, it is the size. I think there is some confusion about if your wire is 2x4, or if it is a smaller square. If it is sub one inch square, you are safe for most predators.

 

[aart]

No I don't have a page for my coop. I'm looking at your pictures and I see where you did the HC but there aren't any close up pictures. The way mine is built, I don't think it'll be able to be flat.. the HC. It's going to have to be cut and bent and fitted to the eaves. I will get some pictures this afternoon of what I mean.

If welded wire won't keep those predators out, why is it even recommended? I'm really confused by that part.

I posted a new thread last evening asking several questions regarding finishing up the inside design of the coop. No replies. I'm not sure why. I'm a little discouraged and frustrated. And feeling like I should have just used google.

Do you mind if I ask what size boards you used to frame your interior wall? Where your nesting boxes are. That's almost exactly the way I want to do mine. I really like your design. Looks very user friendly, which is what I'm going for as well.

Thanks for everything @aart ! You've really helped me a lot since I've joined.

Your 2x4 welded wire will keep large predators out, and hawks...why I used it on my run.
But 1/2" hardware cloth is best for the coop, because it will keep everything out.
Post the pics on your thread here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1097031/inside-design-several-questions-please

 

[aart]

Quote: Was pretty clear to me.

Quote: