Please help me bolster my argument for hardware cloth

[NellaBean]

Are you talking about on the coop itself or the run? I use hardware cloth on all "windows" of the coop. My coop is solid wood or hardware cloth ONLY. The chickens mostly free range but i do have three pens built. One with hardware cloth, one with 2"x2" fencing on top and smaller on the bottom (1x1.5 or something similar), another with 2x3 fencing. They are fine to keep chickens in during the day and they are locked in a secure coop at night. They would not survive the night in that pen......but they are safe as can be in the coop.

Hardware cloth is a DEFINITE for the night area though. And it is very strong once properly secured....My dogs have tried to get through the hardware cloth before and haven't had any success. Don't use staples, use screws and washers.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

One of the reasons hardware cloth is effective, even though it isn't made with as thick a gauge wire as some other fencing, is that the spacing is too close for large animals to get their jaws into. It's often their jaws that animals use to break welds and tear wire, to get in.

I don't remember what the optimum gauge of wire for 1/2" hardware cloth is, so if anyone has that info handy, I'd love it if you'd post it. Just like chain link now comes in some flimsier, cheap versions, some 1/2" hardware cloth does, now, too. As long as it's the sturdy version, you should be fine.

I wouldn't have a problem with a run that has larger openings in it, if the section at ground level has holes that are smaller. You don't want a chicken to be able to put it's head through the fence, as they are too innocent and have been decapitated that way. You don't want openings that are large enough to let in small weasels. You don't want openings that are large enough for a raccoon to reach through and grab a chicken that is napping along the fence line, as they often do. Maybe you can make some kind of compromise in your plan.

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
That was the least expensive option that I chose, and it has "sort of" worked. Snakes just climb up the hardware cloth to gain access to eggs and both possums and raccoons climb right up any fencing. So make sure the top is a secure as the bottom, and that they chickens are locked in Coop Knox every night.

 

[Penturner]

Point out to your husband the reach factor as well. Many birds are lost to raccoons or other animals (Even dogs) reach through the wire and snagging the chickens. They cannot do that with 1/2 inch mesh. I use the larger mash wire (1X2) or chicken wire anywhere that it is just a matter of keeping chickens in. But any place that is the final barrier to the outside world. is either 2 by lumber of 1/2 inch mesh hardware cloth. Even the top of the run is solid 1/2 mesh.

 

[annie3001]

hey husband!!!
go with HARDWIRE !!!!



no show him your posts!!!!

 

[Dogfish]

Search out all of the topics here where a poor choice in wire lead to a massacre of chickens.

 

[babyblue]

also pending on your area a replacement adult hen to replace a layer is expensive. like in a rural farm comunity that a live in 10-20 bucks a hen. for dh adn I it wasnt worth losing hens when we could make a better pen.

 

[JP33]

Mrs. Marien, my dear you are the correct one here. Your husband needs to listen to you or else crack the whip on him!

I suggest 1/4" hardware cloth.


...JP

 

[MarieNC]

Thank you all SO much. We have just gotten the wood and shingles and whatnot and the wiring will come later. I will pull up this thread for him. You all have WAY much more experience with this and he needs to trust this. I would freak if anything happened to the girls that could have been prevented.

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
First, get yourself a 2x4 that's about three feet long.
Second, use the 2x4 to whack your husband's head because you are 100% right and he's 100% wrong.
STICK TO YOUR GUNS!