Has anyone ever had anything get through 1/4 in hardware cloth?

[Rooapalooza]

Tractor supply had 50ft of 24in tall, 1/4in hardware cloth on sale for $25. That's a great price, right?

I've searched on here and a lot of people have said it is not as safe as the heavier gauge 1/2in hardware cloth, but I haven't seen anyone mention what and how predators got through it. Has anyone ever used it and had something get in? Is anyone using it without any issues? Are there any other big cons I should know about it?

 

[Trimurtisan]

That's a great price, right?

God no that's not a good price. Wait till you need a couple hundred square feet and you realize, that crap it's expensive. I'd say it's an average price but hell no it's not good.

I've never heard of 1/4" HC being anything besides a deterrent. I have and use 1/4" and nothing that roams the land here is getting through it besides a bear.

I've searched on here and a lot of people have said it is not as safe as the heavier gauge 1/2in hardware cloth

That's just basic sense. Bigger wire, more secure. Did anyone actually have a reason? Something they could back their claim up with besides "bigger wire, more secure?" Ya know... Some people have more money than sense.

 

[DiYMama540]

I'm going to say that something is better than nothing. If you picked up the 1/4 for a good price, then go with that!
I hit the jackpot early fall and Walmart had put rolls of the stuff on clearance for $5!! I didn't really need it at the time, but it's something that should be in every bird keepers arsenal!

 

[aart]

Did a quick google, not a bad price....less than a few prices I saw for same size.

1/4" HC is 23 gauge, 1/2" HC is 19 ga.
So, yes, 1/4" HC is a bit weaker....but....
it can depend on where it is installed, and most importantly, how well it is installed.
Gotta be taut and flat, no buckling where a critter could get a tooth into.
Edges should be firmly attached and/or covered with trim boards...again so critter cannot gain purchase and pull on it.
Same goes for 1/2" HC.

 

[Ted Brown]

Flies?

 

[Friendly_Lurker]

The only cons I can think of would be expense, and it’s a little dangerous to cut and size unless you’re wearing heavy gloves.

 

[Rooapalooza]

God no that's not a good price. Wait till you need a couple hundred square feet and you realize, that crap it's expensive. I'd say it's an average price but hell no it's not good.

I've never heard of 1/4" HC being anything besides a deterrent. I have and use 1/4" and nothing that roams the land here is getting through it besides a bear.

That's just basic sense. Bigger wire, more secure. Did anyone actually have a reason? Something they could back their claim up with besides "bigger wire, more secure?" Ya know... Some people have more money than sense.

Lol yeah I know it's expensive. It was originally $40 and they had it marked down. I'm such a sucker for a sale. But I've previously bought 5ft and 10ft rolls which are still $10-$20. Tractor Supply has a vinyl coated 5ft by 2ft roll for $15! That would be $150 for 50 ft. Even chicken wire (cheaper quality) is $20 at TS.
Again I am a huge sucker for a sale, and with things like this I have a hard time comparing prices. I know longer lengths will ultimately be cheaper, but I have a bit of a complex about using everything I buy. If there's somewhere cheaper for relatively short lengths I'd love to hear it of course.

I've just looked on here, and every subject I can find asking about 1/4 in hardware cloth, everyone recommends 1/2 in instead. But no one has had any bad anecdotes about 1/4 in hardware cloth that I can find. I would personally think that the small size would compensate for the thinner wire, since it would be a lot harder for most animals to get their teeth/claws into. I want my coop to be safe and sellable so I while I think it would work, I want to make sure it would work for other people as well.

 

[Rooapalooza]

I'm going to say that something is better than nothing. If you picked up the 1/4 for a good price, then go with that!
I hit the jackpot early fall and Walmart had put rolls of the stuff on clearance for $5!! I didn't really need it at the time, but it's something that should be in every bird keepers arsenal!

I am extremely jealous! Every time I hit the clearance aisle I just come home with a bunch of stuff I don't actually need...

 

[Ridgerunner]

I've searched on here and a lot of people have said it is not as safe as the heavier gauge 1/2in hardware cloth, but I haven't seen anyone mention what and how predators got through it. Has anyone ever used it and had something get in? Is anyone using it without any issues? Are there any other big cons I should know about it?

A picture can be worth a thousand words. The OP never did say what gauge or size this was.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/dog-vs-hardware-cloth.1105056/
I would consider 1/4" hardware cloth to be very safe but no matter which fencing you use something can get through, one way or another. The small holes will keep a lot of smaller animals out. Heavier wire with larger holes can let snakes or weasels through, for example. There are generally trade-offs. I don't know enough about your facilities and potential predators but it is pretty unlikely yours will ever be tested by something that can tear hardware cloth.

There have been other threads on here where hardware cloth was torn by big animals, usually big dogs, but those are really rare. More commonly failures to protection are due to predators climbing over or getting under a fence. Gates, doors, corners, and connections are often weak spots in your defense.

 

[ErnieBerley]

use both