Securing hardware cloth to a run

[chickenpotter]

The question in my mind is... Is there hardware cloth on the gap between the roof and the frame?? If not than you need to secure that as well. Raccoons are very good at getting into tight spots. Kind of like a cat, if the head fits the body can follow.
Personal choice for me would be to add the lath. Better safe than sorry and all that.

Ha! I knew someone would notice that! No, none there yet, but there will be before we leave the coop door to the run open at night. In the awful heat and humidity yesterday, we just could not cut and staple one more piece of wire!

 

[chickenpotter]

Yes, I do have 1/2" hardware mesh in all of my vents/soffits as well, good suggestion.

And yes, if your hardware mesh is secured with just a regular staple gun (rather than pneumatic), I would add the lath with screws, or just screws and washers.

Could you elaborate on the screws and washers?

 

[chickenpotter]

love it. We also used a pneumatic staple gun for ours. I think your wire will be good, can you pull it out at all. Racoon have been known to open a garage door.

Going to have to reinforce it! Way, I should have asked this question before we used the electric staple gun! Thanks!

 

[chickenpotter]

Nice run! Can you post pics of the coop I can almost see? Looks pretty fancy!

Thanks for asking. I have to say that I'm almost embarrassed to post the picture of our purchased coop since I have seen so many hundreds that were repurposed or built from scratch, with wonderful results. When I got my chicks (March of this year), we hadn't been here yet a year and with the many building projects my hubby has stacked up, I knew that building a coop was out of the question. Got this one locally and am very pleased with it. It is solid and well designed except for the back window, to which we added an awning because rain kept getting in. I found myself running out there in the middle of every thundershowers to close it!

I'm so happy to have the run finished. The chicks love it and I won't have to physically put them in the portable one I have for when I'm gone during the day. We let them out to roam in the evenings.

 

[chickenpotter]

Thanks for asking. I have to say that I'm almost embarrassed to post the picture of our purchased coop since I have seen so many hundreds that were repurposed or built from scratch, with wonderful results. When I got my chicks (March of this year), we hadn't been here yet a year and with the many building projects my hubby has stacked up, I knew that building a coop was out of the question. Got this one locally and am very pleased with it. It is solid and well designed except for the back window, to which we added an awning because rain kept getting in. I found myself running out there in the middle of every thundershowers to close it!

I'm so happy to have the run finished. The chicks love it and I won't have to physically put them in the portable one I have for when I'm gone during the day. We let them out to roam in the evenings.

Oops! I didn't mean to post 2 of the same picture! Still getting the hang of this. Here's the intended second one:

 

[ChickenMammX4]

Hubs groaned when I insisted on lath strips when we built our run. Not only did it beef-up security, it looks so much niceer! We have raccoons in our area and their strength is amazing. Even though our girls are locked in at night, I still feel better knowing they are safe during the day.

 

[lynnehd]

Could you elaborate on the screws and washers?

Basically, either the lath or the washers helps create a wider base, so the screw can securely grip the hardware mesh and hold it in place.

So you would use 1" screws, #6 or #8 size. If you get self drilling, then you don't have to predrill, but I used 'machine screws' and had no trouble, no predrilling needed, just screw them right in.
Then you just buy a box of metal washers that are 3/4 to 1" wide that the screw will fit through.

You go along the edges of the wire every 1-2 feet and screw in the 'washered' screws.

Here is a pic of what I use when I don't have the pneumatic staple gun; the screws are only 1/2", but you get the idea (and even that length can't be pulled out by a human or raccoon, probably).
The washers are often referred to as 'fender washers', though any similar washer would do.

 

[chickenpotter]

Basically, either the lath or the washers helps create a wider base, so the screw can securely grip the hardware mesh and hold it in place. So you would use 1" screws, #6 or #8 size. If you get self drilling, then you don't have to predrill, but I used 'machine screws' and had no trouble, no predrilling needed, just screw them right in. Then you just buy a box of metal washers that are 3/4 to 1" wide that the screw will fit through. You go along the edges of the wire every 1-2 feet and screw in the 'washered' screws. Here is a pic of what I use when I don't have the pneumatic staple gun; the screws are only 1/2", but you get the idea (and even that length can't be pulled out by a human or raccoon, probably). The washers are often referred to as 'fender washers', though any similar washer would do.

Thanks lynnehd! It helps to know the spacing. That won't be a bad joc at all. I appreciate the picture. Very helpful!

 

[chickenpotter]

Hubs groaned when I insisted on lath strips when we built our run. Not only did it beef-up security, it looks so much niceer! We have raccoons in our area and their strength is amazing. Even though our girls are locked in at night, I still feel better knowing they are safe during the day.

Nice run! Yes, I think the lath would look much nicer, but am probably going with the screws and washers for now- my husband also groaned when I mentioned the lath. Maybe that will be an upgrade next year!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Thinking the lath is actually going to be less expensive and easier for you than the screws and washers. You would only need regular wood screws and you would not need so many.

If you want to do the screws and washers than you can perhaps save some cost with "modified truss head screws". They have a kind of built in washer. Not sure on the outside diameter so it may not work so well on 1/2 in hardware cloth like it did on my 1/4 inch cloth I used making my brooder and transport cages.

http://www.homedepot.com/s/modified%20truss%20head%20screw?NCNI-5

About 1/3 the way down is a close up of them.

Just a thought.

Babs