Hardware cloth warning

[CelticOaksFarm]

I know many say use hardware cloth for runs and coop openings to protect against predators. I have to warn you though, most dogs can dig through it, as well as tear it apart with their teeth. We used it burried to keep the mini doxie from digging out of the yard ony to have him go right through it. Our larger dogs als had it secured to the kennel door so they wouldnt paw at the fan facing it, they tore rigt through it. This was 1/2"x1/2" and 1/4"x1/4" welded wire.

While I am at it, the chain link that comes with dog kennels is not strong enough to stop a dog either. They can push through it if determined enough. Privacy fences? Wont stop a cat or coon or possum from coming over. Also wont stop a dog from digging under into your yard.

Just some words of advice from first hand experience with fencing types and various critters trying to be kept both in and out of enclosures.

 

[harvster]

What gauge wire? Hardware cloth comes in thickness from about 24 gauge on down to 14 gauge or so. 16 gauge wire is about twice as thick as 22 gauge. I can't imagine a dog would be able to get through 14 or 16 gauge wire.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

16 gauge hardware cloth for my male great pyrenees, he was determined to get it out of his way.

 

[Peck Johnson]

I posted this in another thread but I think it is worth repeating in this one.

HORSE-PROOF FENCING dug 4 to 6 inches into the ground and tensioned at the corners with a run of barbed wire along the top. One 200-foot roll will easily surround 6 coops that are reasonable close together.

Horse proof fencing is very rigid and can also be made into a pretty nice sized circle if you don't want to dig for posts on the corners and just use the green 6' metal posts every 6 to 8 feet.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/fencing/field-fencing/non-climb-horse-fence-48-in-x-200-ft--3610692

 

[harvster]

Quote:
Those aren't dogs, they're horses.

Did he break the welds or actually break the wire or both?

 

[coupleofchicks]

That reminds me, long ago I used do own a pottery studio. I hosted many kids birthday parties there. One time someone I was dating walked in with his great Pyranese to drop off something for me during one of the parties and the kids squeeled: "Look! It's a bear! They have a polar bear for the party!!"

On another note, my nextdoor neighbors built their coop out of sandbags and the top is open and it has the fencing roll wth the really big openings for the run...the chickens go in this week...I'm so worried but not sure how I step in and advise where I'm not asked to, you know? My advice on them eating posionous plants didn't seem to go over well...(our native vines are food for native wildlife but poisonous to non native ones and to people and they were free ranging in the front yards) One bite from the coyotes and raccoons behind our fences and the sand will pour out of one bag and the whole thing will cave in. I know they love their chickens though so Im still praying they will stucco over it.

I am paranoid protective of our babies though. I live in "hawk city" and "coyote county" and "raccoon villa"

 

[twentynine]

You guys do all that work, all that expense, and now ya'll are telling me dogs can penetrate hardware cloth?

I didn't use hardware cloth in my contruction. Way to much money for what I consider a static defense. When you have a static defense eventually something will get through it.

I went with cheaper wire, and then spent the left over on an electric fence charger. Seen plenty of coon, small dog tracks (coyote or fox), plus some other critter tracks I can't identify. So far no penetrations. I say so far, because, well nothing is 100%.

 

[spiritdance]

I too use electric fence. My lower runs are 2x4 wire backed with hardware cloth to stop little chicken heads from poking through, then above that it's just 2x4. I've had dogs in the past eat this stuff for breakfast (yes, even the heavy guage), so no problem for a coyote, right? So I run a strand of electric at the bottom and two at the top to stop climbing predators. Knock on wood, it's worked great so far. I am considering going over to a solar charger, though, in case of an extended power outage from storms or what not.

 

[twentynine]

got the solar charger, works okay.

currently i am using a small A/C charger, the solar charger is now in service on the back horse pasture.

The small cheap A/C unit is a constant charge, the solar charger is a pulser. While both will deter predators, the constant charge job is pretty vicious, you don't want to hit that thing with wet feet. The pulser will zap you and it will make you move, but no near like that constant charger does.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

he ate it, al narly. LOL not funny but sorta funny. I have the wad, mangled mess left to go in the trash, will take a photo and share.

I agree on the NO Climb horse fencing, love that stuff.