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GrovesEdge said:
I’m considering an overlay similar to what you have or a hot wire.
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1/4" hardware cloth is not much more than heavy duty screen. Anything can blast through that stuff. It's very weak.
I have my entire run enclosed with 1/2" hardware cloth and all openings into the coop secured with same. I also have my entire setup sitting inside a pen constructed from electrified poultry netting. I know I have black bears that roam around up here as well as fishers, coyote, raccoon, fox, bobcats and the neighbors rotten dogs. I have never had a ground predator loss inside the pen in nearly 7 years.
GrovesEdge said:
That being the case, do you think the thicker wire would hold?
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Yes. Provided it is taught and properly secured to properly spaced framing it should easily stand up to dogs. You can't just staple it up with pneumatic staples. You either need to hammer in 3/4" poultry staples, use fenders and screws or pin it with an additional layer of lumber on top of the framing lumber to sandwich the hardware cloth between the wood.
 
DobieLover said:
1/4" hardware cloth is not much more than heavy duty screen. Anything can blast through that stuff. It's very weak.
I have my entire run enclosed with 1/2" hardware cloth and all openings into the coop secured with same. I also have my entire setup sitting inside a pen constructed from electrified poultry netting. I know I have black bears that roam around up here as well as fishers, coyote, raccoon, fox, bobcats and the neighbors rotten dogs. I have never had a ground predator loss inside the pen in nearly 7 years.

Yes. Provided it is taught and properly secured to properly spaced framing it should easily stand up to dogs. You can't just staple it up with pneumatic staples. You either need to hammer in 3/4" poultry staples, use fenders and screws or pin it with an additional layer of lumber on top of the framing lumber to sandwich the hardware cloth between the wood.
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Thank for all the feedback. Kinda wish the plans I was following described 1/4” like you just did. Too true around here!

I’ve started putting heavy rolled fencing (14 gauge) over the hardware cloth. My husband is bringing home fence post screws with proper fenders to reinforce the washer/screw combo that I had on hand. If it looks like we need to add an electric fence after this, I guess I’ll learn a new skill! Again, thanks for the assist.

Thank goodness for summer break! Chicken bodyguard is nearly a full time job!
 
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DobieLover said:
1/4" hardware cloth is not much more than heavy duty screen. Anything can blast through that stuff. It's very weak.
I have my entire run enclosed with 1/2" hardware cloth and all openings into the coop secured with same. I also have my entire setup sitting inside a pen constructed from electrified poultry netting. I know I have black bears that roam around up here as well as fishers, coyote, raccoon, fox, bobcats and the neighbors rotten dogs. I have never had a ground predator loss inside the pen in nearly 7 years.

Yes. Provided it is taught and properly secured to properly spaced framing it should easily stand up to dogs. You can't just staple it up with pneumatic staples. You either need to hammer in 3/4" poultry staples, use fenders and screws or pin it with an additional layer of lumber on top of the framing lumber to sandwich the hardware cloth between the wood.
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Yes to 1/2 inch 19 gauge fastened with fender washers and screws with a wood lath overlay, good to go! The good thing about washers and screws is if you want or need to remove part or all of it for some reason makes it much easier!
 
Debbie292d said:
Hiya and welcome to BYC! :frow

You’re already convinced but we know squirrels can chew through 1/4” 23 gauge. We have a huge tube made of it that holds sunflower seeds for birds. It’s gotten a few holes in it from those cute destructive buggers!

We’re glad you’re here!
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Thank you! Happy to be here! Yep, that hardware cloth wasn’t up to the job!

Apparently, 3 layers of protection isn’t uncommon around here! Oh, well. When you know better, you do better! Just glad the girls survived my learning curve.

We are attaching cage wire (1/2” x 1”, and I think it was 14 gauge) to the walls and to some cattle panels that will be fastened over the hardware cloth ceiling. I would have thought that was overkill before. Nope!
 
GrovesEdge said:
Howdy from Texas! This site has already been so helpful in getting ready for our girls. We picked up six 10 week old Buff/RIR mixes yesterday. One day in and chicken TV is everything it was cracked up to be.

Last night the girls gave us a run for our money getting them into the henhouse! So glad we didn’t give up. This morning there was a hole leading into the run.

I’m so grateful to be here! We thought hardware cloth was pretty foolproof. We have a lot to learn.
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👋 Hello, I had a raccoon tear through my hardware cloth about a year ago. We caught it on our camera. They are definitely determined to catch a meal!
 

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