Netting or chicken wire

[yelim]

To cover run would you use netting or chicken wire? How long would netting last in hot Florida sunshine?

 

[Opa]

There are various grades of mesh available and the quality will determine how long they will hold up before the sun starts breaking them down. Chicken wire isn't affected by the sun but it is much harder to stretch and secure it tight so that it looks good.

 

[CrazyFowlFreak]

Hardware cloth.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_218928-1641...__s?newSearch=true$Ntt=hardware cloth$y=0$x=0

 

[yelim]

Quote:
Do I really need Hardware cloth on the top?

 

[Jen71]

From what I have read, Yes, you do need hardware cloth on the top if you want to protect from predators.
Predators will rip through netting in an instant.
Hardware cloth is a lot easier to stretch than chicken wire and it will last longer (more durable).

I've been reading a lot about building coops and runs lately, and this info is from what I've read. We are busy building our first coop now.
Good luck to you!

 

[Opa]

While it's true that many predators can go right through chicken wire or nylon and plastic mesh, installing hardward cloth on top can be difficult and expensive. The better method is to install a hot wire around the perimeter. Covering the top keeps out airborne predators, a hot wire keeps four legged predators away.

 

[Flattop]

Just got done covering a chicken tractor w/ chicken wire...It was harder then we thought it would be but you can bounce a quarter off ours NOW. We used a stout rod & determination. the trick seemed to be to securily attach one end then use the rod threaded through the mesh and tug and pull then do the bottom the same way but only 3/4 of the way and work like that on the bottom and side then do the other end the same and lastly the top...stretching and pulling as you go. It takes some effort and a good partner but it can be done.

 

[Zach123]

I used rabbit wire for the openings in my coop. Meybe its the same as hardware cloth? I dunno, just always called it rabbit wire. Anyways we had a whole roll of it at work that they were going to toss in the trash so I snagged it. Seems a lot sturdier then chicken wire, though I used chicken wire on my last coop and it worked fine for 3+ years, nothing ever "ripped" through it, meybe they just never tried?