Keeping the raccoons out - are cable ties strong enough?

[duckluck]

Quote:
Cage clips are sold at many farm stores and work for many applications too...we're in the process of building outdoor runs for our call ducks, and I bought some of these because I can think of a bunch of things they can come in handy for, not just cages. Sold by the 100 count in a package. I didn't like the idea of the typical call duck breeder pen and am trying to work out something similar to a chicken tractor for my ducks.

 

[calbirder]

I looked at cage clips too but they look they'd be hard to remove. I'd like to be able to remove the hardware cloth from the Eglu's built in 1x2 mesh if it gets rusty, and I'm not sure that I could get cage clips off without destroying the original mesh. That's one of the reasons I ended up going with lots and lots of cable ties.

 

[elmo]

Those cable ties can be hard to remove, too, if you tighten them so much there's no place to get a pair of scissors in to cut them. Don't ask me how I know this (heh). A pair of pliers can remove a loxit clip about as easily.

In the future, when you reach the point of replacing your hardware cloth, you might consider using vinyl coated hardware cloth to reinforce your pen. Looks nicer, and the vinyl extends the life of the wire (do be sure to get the kind that has galvanized wire under the coating, though).

 

[Tala]

Quote:
I get cable ties from WalMart like $10 for a thousand of them. They've worked great for me.

We don't have a very heavy predator load though. I set my live trap every day and I've only caught one raccoon (the reason I bought the trap). IF I had raccoons out there "testing" my coop every night I would put up enough hot wire to send em elsewhere fast!

 

[letsgosnow]

I am in the exact situation. I can't let them in and out every day. I did use hundreds of cable ties. Over time I will slowly add wire for extra protection. I am excited as it simply extended my coop. They still go inside at night. I made a hook to use to pull the wire thru when I am ready to start adding wire. Praying for both of us that this works.

 

[Pgw]

Why not use ga

YES THEY CAN!

I used a lot of zip ties to make my coop. It was fabricated from things I had around the house and I used zip ties to attach the run panels together, the run to the coop, the hardwire cloth to the bottom of the coop....

This was all done in June. By October the zip ties were all breaking from being in the weather. It was a mess.

I used galvanized wire and twisted it. You can use the pliers to twist it and then use needle nose pliers to bend the ends of the wire under so the girls can't hurt themselves.

You get much better and much faster at it as you go!

I wish I hadn't wasted my time, seriously. It is easier than you think.

Let me know if you have any questions.

PS, you also don't want to forget about digging predators.... that open door thing might not be the best idea.

 

[Pgw]

YES THEY CAN!

I used a lot of zip ties to make my coop. It was fabricated from things I had around the house and I used zip ties to attach the run panels together, the run to the coop, the hardwire cloth to the bottom of the coop....

This was all done in June. By October the zip ties were all breaking from being in the weather. It was a mess.

I used galvanized wire and twisted it. You can use the pliers to twist it and then use needle nose pliers to bend the ends of the wire under so the girls can't hurt themselves.

You get much better and much faster at it as you go!

I wish I hadn't wasted my time, seriously. It is easier than you think.

Let me know if you have any questions.

PS, you also don't want to forget about digging predators.... that open door thing might not be the best idea.

xoxo

Could you just use steel zip ties?

 

[McChooky]

Could you just use steel zip ties?

Hog nose pliers and stainless steel hog rings are used to build wire cages out of hardware cloth but the pliers make the project a little pricey. Stainless steel zip ties are popular because they're strong and faster to use.I use them to build all my cages