Hardware Cloth -- Wire or Plastic?

[Whitewater]

So . . . got plans for a coop, plans call for a TON of galvanized hardware cloth, 1/2", $160 worth! Our modifications will bring it down to just over $100 but still, that's a lot of money.

I discovered the exact same stuff except in plastic (in a smaller length, 15' instead of 25') at a store today, though, and using my math skills, discovered that 4 of these things would be exactly the same amount we need, but cost about half as much. It seemed about as sturdy when I felt it.

Is there a reason that I *can't* use plastic hardware cloth? Aside from predators and rodents . . . we don't have predators (not even raccoons) aside from hawks -- and the coop has a sturdy roof -- and the feral cat in the alley takes care of the rodents (and the small birds, *grrr*). We have literally a couple squirrels and about 3 rabbits, and that's it for rodents. No snakes. And no big dogs in the neighborhood either, even if there were, they don't run free.

I'm really hoping to use the plastic stuff instead of the galvanized wire. We're on a tight budget and need to save where we can.

Will it affect the health of my chickens? Will they be able to tear it open somehow? I was thinking, if necessary, later on in the fall, to procure some cheap small diameter chicken wire and put it over the plastic hardware cloth.


What do you guys think?


Whitewater

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'm not sure where you live, but I suggest you call your local animal control to see what you might have in your area. I never saw them but I trapped a possum in an urban area and I saw several raccoons using the storm sewers as highways around the city. You might truly be in a preadator free area, but even Hawaii has the mongoose.

If the plastic hardware cloth you are talking about is the stuff I think it is, it will keep the chickens in. It will not keep anything dangerous to grown chickens out. I would not use it.

Have you looked at 2" x 4" welded wire fencing? It will stop raccoons, possums, coyotes, foxes, and skunks if properly installed and is less expensive than hardware cloth. That's what I used for my run. You can use the plastic hardware cloth or similar around the bottom 18" of your run to keep the chickens from sticking their heads out where the predators can take them off.

 

[Whitewater]

Oh, whoops, I should put my location in my little thingie . . . thanks for the reminder

I live in Saint Paul MN, in one of the *really* urban parts of town. Really, really. Our lot is a total of .13 acres, We have a extra-wide 2 lane road directly north of us and an alley directly south that border our property, our neighbor's exterior walls are approximately 20' from ours, and absolutely no creatures call us a predator paradise.

It's wierd, because you'd expect them (particularly given what lives within 5 or so miles!) but we're pretty much a predator free zone. We don't even have deer. We barely have rabbits and squirrels.

Your idea about the 2"x4" welded wire is a good one, particularly with the addition of the plastic 1/2" hardware cloth around the bottom (on the interior, I assume?). I have noticed it in stores but haven't really noticed the price, I will have to go back and look again.

I am all about cheap alternatives that still do the job!


Whitewater

 

[Lotsapaints]

you can use the plastic but better off with the hardware cloth it lasts way longer I would replace the plastic with hardware cloth when you have the money it comes in small rolls then you have better piece of mind it is amazing what shows up when they learn that you are keeping chickens. You always feel bad after something kills a bunch of your babies seems like the cost isn't that bad after all...

 

[aussieheelr]

I would avoid the plastic for the reason of it's brittleness. Metal goes between all the elements without being effected but not plastic. Heat and cold breaks down plastic and makes it brittle to the point that if it got bumped it would crack and then crack again and soon you'll be missing pieces. Not only will it not protect chickies from the predators but it would begin to look bad too.

 

[grammypam]

I live only 80 miles south of you. We have racoons,possum,weasels,fox,skunks and coyotes here. I bet you do,too. They come out at night and you may not realize it. I would not take any chances and would use the wire hardware cloth. Just my opinion.

 

[CityChook]

I'm inside the city too. Don't be fooled -- the preds are here but don't usually come out during the day. Too much activity. And urban preds are big and can be quite fearless when it comes to humans.

One way to find out -- go ahead and use your plastic fencing. I'm betting that you will find out quickly what chicken-eating preds you have. I was amazed at what came out of the woodwork when I added chicken dinner to the backyard.

But seriously, don't risk that plastic fencing.

Ridgerunner's advice is good -- pick up the 2x4 galvanized wire. It will be half of the cost of the hardware wire. Put the plastic stuff around the lower 24 inches. Then make sure you lock your chickens up every night.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I would only use the 1/2" heavier gauge hardware cloth on all openings to the coop and keep the coop door locked at night. This will protect them at night, when you are most likely to have a problem.

I'm positive you have many more predators in your area than you know. Most urban predators are mainly out at night and spend more time in areas with a food source, which your chickens will be. Even if they don't normally feed in an area, they seem to pass by and check it out from time to time.

At the very least, I think you need a run that will protect your chickens from dogs. A lot of chickens get killed by dogs. Some are strays, some are neighbor dogs that are let loose to run, some are the chicken owner's own pet and some got loose from a neighbor just one time. Once is all it takes. You might not normally see dogs passing through your yard, but you don't keep prey in your yard right now, either.

It's amazing how many more birds and squirrels you see in your yard, once you put out feeders. Over time, as they find them, you get even more. Building a chicken coop is like that, only for predators.

 

[patandchickens]

DO NOT use the plastic stuff.

Dogs and raccoons WILL GO RIGHT THROUGH IT.

Yes, you have raccoons in your area even if you don't see them around; and even SMALL dogs can go through the plastic mesh, plus which you never know when some stray larger dog will come wandering through.

If you want to economize, use hardwarecloth only on the coop itself, then for the run use 1x1 or even 2x4 welded wire mesh, and put something smaller-mesh over just the bottom 2-3'. The smaller mesh thing can even be (sigh) the plastic mesh, if the popdoor will always be closed before dusk with the chickens safely in the coop, and if the coop is in a reasonably well-supervised area.

You really have to think about whether saving $50 on not using dogproof fence wire is worth losing all your chickens and having to not just start over but first *clean up*.

JMHO, good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[schmism]

if you were considering plastic, then i would at least go with old school chicken wire. not nearly as good as the hardware cloth but better than plastic.