Please help me bolster my argument for hardware cloth

[MarieNC]

Hi All - We are in the process of completing a chicken coop and my husband and I went to the feed store today to price out wire. I told him that the one most recommended here is the hardware cloth, but he is convinced that a dog and/or coon could tear right through it. He wants to use something with a larger diameter hole but is incredibly strong. I'm worried about snakes being able to squeeze in the holes but he says the only ones that could get through it are baby snakes. I want a coop that is Ft. Knox b/c I just could not bear anything happening to the girls, who are one month old. The diameter of the holes in the wire he wants to use is probably 1.5 to 2 times larger than that of hardware cloth. I'd love to know all your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[CapeCodJohn]

I ordered a roll of 1/2 inch hardware cloth on line through Ace hardware, picked it up at the local store, no delivery charge.
I can't see a dog or coon biting or chewing though this stuff. I used it, I hope not.

 

[cogorman]

A snake can get through anything they can fit there head through!

 

[wildorchid053]

you need tiny holes or rats and snakes will bite and eat your chickens... larger holes are good for racoon hands.. chickens are extremely curious and will come to the fence to see what it is and a raccoon will grab it and pull it through the holes... not a pretty sight.. i don't want to get graphic but they can end up headless easily... ugh

 

[La Mike]

The hardware cloth is not only for keeping predators out but because the bigger wire is harder on the feet of chickens and ducks
Also chicks need the smaller wire for walking on also
I have used it for years and never had a dog /coon/possum/fox or anything chew through it
It keeps all critters from reaching in the side of runs and coops also
You would only need it 4 or so feet up the wall sides then use your bigger wire

 

[babyblue]

if you want impenatrable then I would use chain link with hard ware cloth doubled over. nothing short of a very ticked off bear would get threw that. hardware alone will keep out 99.9% of everything, even raccoons and ticked off dogs, even only slightly ticked off bears it will keep away.

 

[elmo]

Use the lower gauge wire your husband wants, then line the bottom two or three feet of the run and any openings in the coop with hardware cloth.

 

[chickensioux]

You will have trouble with raccoons, snakes, rats, weasels if you don't use hardware cloth. You will spend alot more money in the long run replacing animals and repairing other wires if you don't.

 

[HathawayHens]

Quote:
x2!!

 

[PineappleMama]

My doxies, who took on a possum twice their size under the shed and won... who have a major yen for chicken... who have a high hunt drive have not been able to put a dent in my coop... ALL HC... they have tried biting, clawing, climbing... nothing.

Granted they are small dogs, but if they can't get their teeth/claws into it then how would a big dog?

Edit... here's the link to the topic I made when we finally finished ours...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=335879