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!

 

[Bawkbok]

@Ted Brown - do you use the Woods open air method coop or am I mistaken?

 

[Ted Brown]

@Ted Brown - do you use the Woods open air method coop or am I mistaken?

Not mistaken. I have the KD (Knock Down) 10' by 16' built in 2019 to the original design ie no studs.

Prince Woods did not conceive of open air coops, rather he popularized them during the early 1900s. His book "Modern Fresh Air Poultry Houses" discusses several styles (eg Hartman) including his own KD that favour open air as being the healthiest approach.

 

[Bawkbok]

Not mistaken. I have the KD (Knock Down) 10' by 16' built in 2019 to the original design ie no studs.

Prince Woods did not conceive of open air coops, rather he popularized them during the early 1900s. His book "Modern Fresh Air Poultry Houses" discusses several styles (eg Hartman) including his own KD that favour open air as being the healthiest approach.

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I have the book and have begun reading it. We have a four sided open air run attached to a prefab. My desire is to expand on the run by enclosing the prefab rendering it only a nest box so they can roost in the open air coop surrounding it. I haven't gotten far enough in the book to decide what design would work best for our situation. I'd like to solicit your input when things are farther along in the planning if you don't mind.