Is this safe or needs beefing up?

[Tracyree]

I’m building a pen for chicks outside. Is this hardware cloth attached safely or do I need to put wood over the washers?

 

[GlicksChicks]

I feel like that is good enough. Some people just staple the wire in, so a washer is much stronger

 

[AntiqueB]

Depends on your predators, and how determined they may be.

I live in the suburbs with raccoons as main predators, and they seemed to think a run made with washers and screws was way more work than flipping a garbage can lid next door.

I would have been more apprehensive in a rural setting where wildlife was used to working for their meals.

 

[Tracyree]

We are fairly rural.

 

[AntiqueB]

Raccoons are quite strong. I was leaving for work one morning and heard breaking wood. A raccoon had gotten its hand between boards on my neighbor's garage eave, and literally broke the wood to get in.

It depends, too, on how long you anticipate having your chicks in there until they move into the coop. I'd beef up long-term housing, but probably let it go for just a few weeks.

 

[Tracyree]

Thanks all. I ended up adding more washers, spaced out about 4-6 inches. I’ve worked on this thing until it’s almost killed me. . I’m too old for this.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Thanks all. I ended up adding more washers, spaced out about 4-6 inches. I’ve worked on this thing until it’s almost killed me. . I’m too old for this.

Great job...it's worth it in the long run knowing your birds are safe.

 

[Tracyree]

Great job...it's worth it in the long run knowing your birds are safe.

Definitely!! Trying to do everything to make sure they are as safe as possible. I went way overboard with this small run when the big one will be done is just a few weeks. But they need more space!