Skirt for run: chicken wire vs. hardware cloth

[le_bwah]

Nothing's built yet except the foundation, but I need to get this settled before I continue. I have just enough hardware cloth right now to enclose the above-ground portions. To keep the critters out, I want to run a skirt around the whole thing. We mainly get fox, raccoon, and dogs sniffing around, but I'm worried about rats, too. My questions is: for the skirt, should I use more 1/2 inch hardware cloth, or would 1 inch chicken wire be enough? Thanks for any advice.

 

[Ducksandchickens]

Nothing's built yet except the foundation, but I need to get this settled before I continue. I have just enough hardware cloth right now to enclose the above-ground portions. To keep the critters out, I want to run a skirt around the whole thing. We mainly get fox, raccoon, and dogs sniffing around, but I'm worried about rats, too. My questions is: for the skirt, should I use more 1/2 inch hardware cloth, or would 1 inch chicken wire be enough? Thanks for any advice.

Hardware cloth. I just have chicken wire but am rethinking my decision.

 

[Folly's place]

Hardware cloth; don't waste time or money on chicken wire.
Rats and weasels are NOT fun!
Mary

 

[le_bwah]

I've never even seen a weasel in our area, but that doesn't mean one couldn't find its way in; does NOT sound fun. Just needed a nudge one way or the other, so that settles it. Thanks for the advice, guys.

 

[drumstick diva]

1/2" hardware cloth.

 

[RWise]

The last roll of chicken wire I purchased will be the last I ever purchase! It was the 2", the chickens walked up to it, put their heads through it, pushed and stepped through the hole. The crap unraveled, I use welded wire now.
Hardware cloth at the bottom,,,welded wire will not give up like
"chicken wire" does.

 

[Howard E]

This.........^^^^^^.........plus none of those are going to work to keep rats out of your run. They will tunnel in under all of it.

Hardware cloth will keep rats out of your coop........except for when the pop door is open. Then they will just walk right in through the open door.

 

[le_bwah]

Hardware cloth it is! I expect as soon as I put my birds in I'm going to discover all sorts of wildlife in my area.

 

[Folly's place]

Yes, you will. Everyone loves chicken!
Mary

 

[Egghead_Jr]

2x4 or 2x2 welded wire. Hardware cloth is wasted money on the run. Use it on coop openings and lock the door every night.