Should I still use hardware cloth for a daytime run

I don't use it for day space.
Just something that will keep dogs, fox and hawks out.
Could be hog wire/welded wire or something like remesh covered with chicken wire to keep the chickens in.

 

We did. We have bobcats in our area so we needed it to be strong.

 

My concern would be rats getting in to get at the food.

 

We have welded fencing with 2"x 4" squares that comes in 4' x 50' rolls and costs about $50 up here. We get it at the Co-op and use it for chicken and dog runs. That would give you a 20' x 8' run for $50 plus a couple of 2x4s. True, a dedicated dog could get over it but our golden is trained not to. The fencing is fairly stiff and when laid out in a curve needs no posts....

 

We don't use hardware cloth for runs either. How much daytime security you need depends on your location and what predators or dogs you may have roaming about in the daytime. Some people need more, some get by with less. We used chain link dog kennel panels with heavy duty shade cloth over the top. My birds are secured in their coop at night and I don't have much in the way of daytime predators due to activity near the barn all day. I just needed to keep dogs and hawks out. I do have a hot wire around the outside for added security.

 

I built my run from cow panels and covered it with hardware cloth. The coop and run are skirted with 2' wire laid on the ground. I have a hole in the back of the coop that the girls go in and out of the run, it is never closed up, hence the extra security on the run. Also have a Great Pyrnees that was given to me because she killed chickens. Took 2 years, but she is now a chicken GUARD! I live in the middle of town, just a few blocks from city hall. We have predators, possums, raccoons, hawks and feral cats. My backyard fence is 4' chain link that we raised another 2' to keep the Great Pyrenees in the yard. I used concrete wire on the end and covered it with hardware cloth. The run is 3 cow panels and measures 8'x12'. I let them out in the yard in the late afternoons and they put themselves up at night. Then I close their coop door.

I would go with the hardware cloth, and put a roof on it. Do you leave during the day? Even if you are home all day, predators have been known to strike during the day. Compare the cost of hardware cloth to the cost of replacing your hens.

 

Predators come in the form of domestic animals as well such as dogs. You are taking a chance not using hardware cloth or something that is near its equivalency.
The final decision rest with you.

 

yeah but welded wire with bigger gaps (e.g 2 inch ones) are cheaper and will still keep dogs out.

 

I think you would be alright where you birds are housed in the coop at night.

Raccoons can kill chickens by eating through the wire but they are mainly nocturnal animals.