I HATE installing Hardware Cloth!!! HELP!

[SadieSue]

Wow - I think your coop looks fantastic! We just finished ours today and the guys got kind of tired of trying to do a tidy job attaching the hardware cloth so it's a hodge podge of a mess. I just had to grit my teeth and remember the most important thing is that it's as secure as possible in keeping predators out. We won't be moving the girls in until later this week so we'll see.
But believe me - your coop is BEAUTIFUL and you're doing a great job! I like the purple too.

 

[catdaddy66]

I know exactly what you mean! I only had to use short 4' sections of 24" wide cloth but it was very resistant to what I wanted it to do. We had the best results with turning the curl downward. It seemed to flatten better that way, for some odd reason. Tacking it down with poultry staples was pretty awkward as well!

 

[CoyoteMagic]

I usually put my frame together AFTER the wire is on. That way I can "walk" the wire along the frame to keep as tight and straight as possible.

My husband almost got arrested because of hardware cloth. Thanks to the my dog, I tripped over a section of wire and ended up with some really ugly scratches on my legs and arms. I worked at a "alternative" high school (think America's Most Wanted) and interacted with the police on a daily basis. Monday morning after tripping over the wire on Saturday, it looks horrid. I was questioned by 3 different officers if my DH had done it. I finally had to point them that the scratches were exactly 1/2 inch apart before they would stop!

 

[mistymeadowchicks]

I'm convinced those little squares in the hardware cloth aren't square '

' so it's not our fault! I was covering vents--you know--smaller pieces that should be easier to install and keep flat. '

' The top & the bottom of the 10" opening were the same, I lined the wire up w/ the board and it still did not come out even at the other side, much less smooth! If it was a little heavier duty, maybe you could use a fence stretcher like they do on pastures. LOL! I also wore gloves, but my arms are covered in cuts (even got a couple on my hands?) That is not my favorite stuff to deal with! YOUR coop BTW looks marvelous--very nice job!

 

[elmo]

I hate cutting the stuff. I use tin snips, and I always get a blister on my thumb and my hand aches by the end of the day.

It's easier to attach to separate panels laid flat on the ground. That's how I built my runs. But for our exotic dove aviary, we'll need to install the wire to the roof from the underneath. Now, that's going to be fun, eh?

 

[aceoftrumps]

I too have had battles with hardware cloth. I learned after building my first coop....build on the ground, paint first, install hardware cloth and then assemble! Makes a neater job, don't get paint all over the wire and hinges, etc.

I just finished constructing a combination quail/bantam cage...no, it's divided in half lengthways....I don't think bobwhites and bb reds can co-exist. (smile) I built it in sections and then assembled. So much easier and neater.

Kurt

 

[annie3001]

i know what you mean, my hands get all messed up with cuts. i should wear gloves too. my hands always look beat looking.
i compansate with pretty nail polish (no long nails tho, I work hard in the yard, so i cut them short).

 

[seminolewind]

Right, it's awful. But hubby gave me some kind of sissors (?) that cut like sissors instead of clipping one wire at a time, that helps. Smaller pieces work out better. One thing that I hate worse than hardware cloth is chicken wire. I can't stand that. Looks like you did a good job!

 

[friedkitty]

I am so glad I read this post! I am about to run the hardware cloth over the front section of my trampoline coop, and I was thinking "Oh this will be the easy part" I would have looked like I got into a fight with a gang of angry alley cats! Long sleeves and gloves it is!!

Fortunately I dont have to worry about taking the curve out of mine!

 

[AlienChick]

Quote:
I remember the days where wives would say they ran into a doorknob (causing a black eye).

But "I got scratched by chickenwire"??? That's a new one lady!