Of hardware cloth & weld wire & short cuts...

[Ted Brown]

I built my run 5+ years ago using telephone poles & 1/2" 1/2" 19 gauge hardware cloth (HC). I used hog rings to attach a horizontal apron to the vertical walls. Worked great!

More than 5 years later I have ground hogs breaking in to get the feed. Breaking in by ripping the HC apart because the welds are rusted, deteriorated from being buried. Only an issue along the bottom where the mesh has been buried.

Also have had issues with hog rings falling off or rusting through. Now using Mechanics Wire and tedious weaving.

I am redoing my aprons using 1/2" by 1“ 16 gauge welded wire bent to an “L" & wired to existing HC. Inside I am lining the bottom perimeter with 2x6 pressure treated vertical against the walls then screws & washers to sandwich mesh to boards.

I berate myself for "not doing it right 1st time“ but suspect I am normal.

 

[NetherLeeFarm]

Yeah HWC isn't rated for below ground but it typically works a lot longer depending on conditions. Unless challenged by a huge rodent, of course. We also utilize a big dog which helps keep the challengers away but protecting livestock is always a 24/7/365 job. Sorry you're dealing with this!