Hardware cloth vs welded wire

[JRast]

Hey yall
I'm building a coop and trying to determine, should I use hardware cloth around the bottom 3 ft of the walls and then a 1x2 welded cage wire for the remaining middle/top of the coop walls? The hardwire cloth I'm looking at is 23 gauge, the description states that it is for "temporary" enclosures... would I be better off trying to find a heavier gauge or use a different wire configuration? Such as hardware all the way, or welded wire all the way?
Thanks for any advice!

 

[ColoradoPip]

I believe you want 16 gauge hardware cloth.

I cannot help much with the 1x2 other than to say it depends on what you are trying to keep out. Smaller animals, squirrels, small birds, rodents, snakes, etc. would be able to get in easily.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Is the HWC you're looking at 1/4" squares? In most cases 1/2" is good enough to keep everything but tiny mice out, and easier to work with.

 

[JRast]

Thanks for the advice yall

 

[aart]

The hardwire cloth I'm looking at is 23 gauge

1/4" HC is usually 23ga
1/2" HC is usually 19ga...it can be had in 16ga,
but it's it harder to find, more costly, and not necessary.
The 1x2 should be fine fine above, except for weasels and rats.

What you use depends on the circumstances and predator load.
My run is 14ga 2x4welded wire, but I am home most the time and within sight/hearing.

 

[JRast]

Would something like this with a roof and laying boxes be ok for laying hens?
Wondering if they NEED an enclosed little coop or if something open like this works just fine as well.

 

[aart]

Would something like this with a roof and laying boxes be ok for laying hens?
Wondering if they NEED an enclosed little coop or if something open like this works just fine as well.


View attachment 2092443

Yup.
Depending on the size, might need a wall or two to break the wind and/or wind driven rain.

 

[Henanigan]

Please do all you can to protect your Hens. They become like family. I also added motion sensor cameras that send me an alert and security lights. Bobcats and raccoons are notorious for visiting at night as you can see from the pictures.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Would something like this with a roof and laying boxes be ok for laying hens?
Wondering if they NEED an enclosed little coop or if something open like this works just fine as well.

An open air set up can work well in hotter or even mild climates. Be mindful of your wind directions and place solid walls (half or partial may work depending on placement) strategically to block the roost and nest areas from wind/driving rain.

 

[RiverOtter]

Honestly, I've lived all up and down the US east coast, from FL to NY, and I've never lived anywhere hens don't want a sturdy enclosed space. Where it's hot, they still want to get out of the wind and rain, lay eggs inside an sleep in away from predators at night. Even my most feral, free range, gamey mutt (a little blue hen named Renegade) would come out of her favorite tree and go in the coop for every storm, and laid her eggs inside.