Is 1/2" x 1/2" hardware cloth really necessary?

[Lumenos]

Quote:
Thank you elmo. That was exactly what I wanted to know. So this is fairly common? I'd like to check out those threads if you can give me the name of that forum.

If they can get their paw in, does that mean they can reach in all the way to the shoulder?

Has anyone heard of chickens or muscovies being harmed through 1.5" x 1.5", 1" x 2", or smaller spacings? (This is for a coop not a run.)

 

[Jx2inNC]

Quote:
Have these ever been known to attack chicks or larger birds? (I have young chickens now.)

Not that I'm aware of.
They are pretty smart little suckers, but they are just looking for some food. I don't think you'll have an issue with carnivores there, but you may be missing some food from time to time.

 

[jcinadr]

I know this is a dead thread - but for what it's worth... In 1990 I helped a neighbor building his barn. During the process is guinea fowl started disappearing one at a time. They do communal nests, so we were pretty sure what was happening. So we went on the great Easter egg hunt and robbed the next couple nests before the coons found them. We incubated out about 50, which he decided to grow out in a rabbit hutch (from what I recall). Coons could not reach the birds - but could hook a finger around their feet. They ripped the legs off the entire hatch in a singe night.

I am paranoid now with a special dislike for coons. 1/2" mesh is good - but I (paranoid) would consider 2 layers on the floor with space between them. I do not recall the mesh of the cage - but it was small enough for the chicks to stand on and did not stop the coons from killing them.

 

[mama cluck cluck]

Quote:

Yes, i have.

All the openings in my coop are now covered by 1/4 x 1/4 hardware cloth.

AND i now have a very special dislike for raccoons.

I am new to this and want to use 1/4" hardware cloth EVERYWHERE on the coop and run. Does enough light get through for the chickens?

 

[NancyNurseCxMama]

You are correct Elmo, that people have different risk tolerances.

Think of it another way. What is the value of 9-10 egg laying hens? What is the cost of 25-50 feet of hardware cloth? One is a revenue stream over time, the other is a one time cost.

Overbuild your coop.

And the value cannot always be quantified in financial terms.

 

[NancyNurseCxMama]

I am new to this and want to use 1/4" hardware cloth EVERYWHERE on the coop and run. Does enough light get through for the chickens?

Didn't realize this was an ancient thread, just revived, but what we do have a new question here.
My coop has all windows and vents covered with hardware cloth. The entire run is encased in 1/2" hardware cloth and it gets plenty of sun---no problem with that at all.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Wow what an oldie of a thread......

I prefer 1/4 inch hardware cloth for the windows and vents since mice can easily fit through the 1/2 inch. I used 1/2 inch on the run since mice can and do seem to find a way in there regardless.
My broody house and run however have 1/4 inch, mostly since I had a bunch already.

 

[HoopyFrood]

I am new to this and want to use 1/4" hardware cloth EVERYWHERE on the coop and run. Does enough light get through for the chickens?

Welcome to BYC!

My run is 10 ft x 21 ft and 11 ft tall at the highest point. The ENTIRE thing is covered in 1/4" hardware cloth (plus a rigid, corrugated roof). It lets in plenty of light! Don't ask how much that cost, btw ;-)