Lost another one, question on hardware cloth

[ssteiner]

Unbelieveably, we lost *another* baby, this time a Delaware, after just 8 days. She was in her run with two others when the dog absolutely charged at it and broke through the chicken wire like it was made of paper. Thank God the other two survived and it was over quick.

So here's my question. Today I put in a complete perimeter not of chicken wire, but of 1/4 inch 4 foot high hardware cloth, such that the coop *and* the (already enclosed) run are now further encircled. The hardware cloth is affixed to regularly spaced 4 foot tall stakes buried firmly into the ground. Trouble is, I've now fenced myself out of my vegetable garden.

So, I'm trying to think how to build a door/opening into the hardware cloth without compromising its worth. I don't know if it's possible - do I use hinges or build in a door or what? I can always cut 2 feet off the top of a section and then just get in and out of the vegetable garden that way, but I hate to lower the height of the hardware cloth at any portion of the perimeter. Anyway, thanks for any suggestions.

-Scott

 

[Pupsnpullets]

You may want to consider electric fencing. After the first shock problem pup should develop a healthy respect for chicken fencing.

 

[birdlover]

Could you use a step ladder on either side of the fence?

 

[Omran]

IF you can post a picture it will help alot and we will be able to figure out a good solution together.

Omran.

 

[chicksalot]

I agree w/ pupsnpullets about the electric fencing...it will be the best defense once they tangle with it. I also think birdlover has a great idea for accessing your garden...it would be like the 'old fashioned' step overs in the cow pastures. (great idea birdlover!)

 

[ssteiner]

Okay it's dark here now but I will take a picture and post it. I'm so paranoid now about losing another that the whole area has taken on the look of a prison yard. All I need now is razor wire and guard towers.

 

[SewingDiva]

I'm sorry to hear you lost one of your girls. I actually wish that "chicken wire" would be renamed because it certainly offers no benefit to chickens. I've had people even ask me why we didn't use chicken wire on our run when they see the hardware cloth.

On your new secure run though, one thing I thought of: if your vegtable garden is part of the enclosure, you might really want to consider building a true gate (or door) anyway because any other means of entry could get pretty annoying if this is an area you need to go into on a regular basis.

If the posts are 4 feet apart that's wide enough for a door, and all you need to do is build a frame to fit within that space, attach hardware cloth to it, and add hinges.

If you look at the door on our run that's how it's made. DH added triagular wooden gussets in the corners for stability and to keep the door from racking. The door is attached to the frame with spring hinges, which self-close.

Phyllis

 

[Msbear]

Quote:
Yes it does. It keeps your chickens in

but that's all it does. I have chicken wire on my runs because I have dogs that look out for my chickens during the day and hardware cloth on my coops so that they are protected form predators at night. They make an inch size and a half inch size. I don't see a real difference in strength but many people say the smaller holes keep out raccoons teeth.

You'll probably have to frame out a door out of pressure treated 2x4. Maybe you know someone with a table saw so they could rip the boards in half. 2x2 is plenty strong enough and will give you more wood and won't be so heavy. After you frame, make the door to fit and at more hardware cloth to the door. Good Luck.

 

[SewingDiva]

Quote:
Yes it does. It keeps your chickens in

but that's all it does. I have chicken wire on my runs because I have dogs that look out for my chickens during the day and hardware cloth on my coops so that they are protected form predators at night. They make an inch size and a half inch size. I don't see a real difference in strength but many people say the smaller holes keep out raccoons teeth.

This is true! And is what I really meant to say. The raccons in our yard could easily put a paw through the opening chicken wire and also the larger size hardware cloth so that's also why we have the 1/2 inch square size.

Phyllis

 

[spook]

Often you can pick up "sheep" wire, 4 " square holes. This keeps cattle, sheep and goats in, could you pick some up and use it to fence off your property? Or atleast fence around your birds chicken wire to double up the security.