Stupid question about something simple

[michiganer]

I feel like this is a stupid question but I know many of you will know the answer. I have an old shed that I will make my chicken coop. The question is about the run. I am going to put wood poles up and use hardware cloth. My question is 'how do you attatch the hardware cloth to the poles'? Is a staple gun strong enough to go into the wood? Do I tie the hardware cloth to the poles? I am making my plans and I can't think of how to do it. I don't have a husband, my dad is up north and my brother is up north! I am no carpenter and I need something easy that will withstand the test of time. Thanks!

 

[MissPrissy]

You need to use horse shoe post nails. Go to the hardware store and ask for the "U" nails for fencing.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

You can buy heavy galvanized staples that you drive with a hammer. Like the ones that would hold barbed wire to a post. Any hardware should have them.

 

[Mesa]

Good question! I wasnt that far into my fencing plans but close..... thanks for the tip.

 

[ChanceRider]

I used heavy duty fence staples... hammered until I couldn't feel my fingers any longer! I switched to hex-head screws, with large flat washers, and drove them in with a cordless drill. Much easier and I didn't need to space them as close as I was the staples.

 

[Chickenfortress]

To help driving the u-nails, use a pair of needle nosed pliers to hold it while starting. There won't be any stress on the fingers that way, and you will spend less time working. The screws are still a better plan, as long as you use "deck" screws, or others rated for use on treated lumber. Same goes for the washers, they have to be galvanized.

 

[xke4]

I vote for the screw/washer method. If I had to do mine over again I would definitely use them. We used them on the Bald Eagle pen at the wildlife rehab facility and not only is it secure, it was a whole lot faster and easier than those U shaped staples that I had used on my pen.

 

[sunnydee]

I also used the screw/washer method. Much easier to take apart if needed!

 

[CityChook]

I used the screw/washer method. I like the way it looks.

 

[michiganer]

Thanks for all the replies! I think I may go with the screw/washer method. I don't trust myself to pound in the u shaped nails. I'm not very good at pounding regular nails let alone special ones! Thanks!