The fender washers etc needed for hardware cloth?

[packmule]

packmule I'm going to have to agree with bruceha2000 in this case. I originally tried using 5/8" Arrow staples when I built my first temporary pen for the girls. I did manage to get them to hold in the wood framing (regular 2x2s), but the staples pulled out very easily (often on their own, just from the springiness of the hardware cloth). I found that putting several staples close to each other at different angles made them hold better, but there is no way I would consider it permanent. It was just to keep the girls from wandering off during the day, not to protect them from predators.

I later took apart the pen to build a permanent coop, and I didn't need any tools to get the staples out. They just pulled out like a pin on a bulletin board. You might be using the staples in a different way that works for you, but I could not imagine using them as a permanent racoon-proof fastener.

Is your frame by chance made of hardwood or from old pallets? The staples would probably grip better in this wood. But either way I would strongly encourage you to try doing what bruceha2000 suggests and try to pull the hardware cloth off by hand. I know nobody wants to undo their hard work, but I promise that if you can get it apart without any tools, the racoons can too. A friend of mine lost his flock recently when a baby raccoon found his way in through a 4" square hole. I'm not willing to risk that personally.

my frame is made from 2x4s with a couple areas using 2x6. all re purposed wood but in good shape. the hardware cloth is attached with staples on the inside in most areas in 2 rows, alternating. there is no pulling them out from the outside, only pushing. no raccoon is pushing their way inside no matter how hungry they are. the only way theyre getting inside is if they chew through it, or if they happen to have a tiny tin snips and a lot of dexterity. ive pressed very hard on the outside of the coop and the cloth aint moving. im 6'5" and 230 lbs. and i tested it and no 5 lb raccoon is going to get this stuff off of there. i have poultry staples. i didnt use them when i put this coop together because it was overkill and i didnt need them. are they stronger? sure. but my decision saved me quite a bit of time and a little frustration because while i have good aim, it diminishes when youre as big as me hunched down inside a chicken coop. again, it seems the consensus is to use poultry staples and i withdraw from the discussion on that at this point because im all for people doing what they feel works best for them. i just wanted to bring up another possible option and it seems silly to argue about it.

 

[packmule]

and to the OP im sorry your post got hijacked like this, i hope you have found a solution that works well for you and will keep your chickens safe.

 

[Creed Bennett]

I haven't read this whole thread so someone may have suggested this already but I've seen pennies used as washers on hardware cloth. Cheaper than washers by a long shot.

 

[OldGuy43]

I haven't read this whole thread so someone may have suggested this already but I've seen pennies used as washers on hardware cloth. Cheaper than washers by a long shot.

Wow. Creed has a point. I never thought of that.

 

[KDK1]

I haven't read this whole thread so someone may have suggested this already but I've seen pennies used as washers on hardware cloth. Cheaper than washers by a long shot.

And Budweiser bottle caps!
packmule, do what you want... they're your chickens. Good luck though.

 

[rendezvous1838]

I am not drinking beer, I am working on the chicken coop.

 

[woodsman23]

as already said use 1"-1 1/4" roofing nails and never look back

 

[Gargoyle]

as already said use 1"-1 1/4" roofing nails and never look back

Because if you look back, you'll see a gang of chickens behind you plotting and scheming ...

 

[ImportTheBest]

Lol y'all! No worries about any hijack! I like knowing what does and doesn't work for others so that I can decide what'll work for us.

Ok, I tried the pennies...I FAILED! I was trying to nail one on simply to cover the corner end piece of the HC so that the kids wouldn't scratch themselves on it, and I couldn't even get the nail all the way through! Granted the nails weren't the best (leftovers from a random picture hanging kit) but I still thought it'd work. Then I tried drilling a hole in the penny to use with a nail or screw (once again - not for durability just kid protection), and I couldn't get hold of it and keep hold of it with pliers etc to drill through. How are you using the pennies??

I've used up all my fender washers and I still have some hardware cloth to put up (quite a bit actually) so I really want to make the penny trick work! The bottle cap idea sounds good, do you flatten them first with a hammer? And are they strong enough? Nail or screw? Pre-drill?

I tried using the galvanized steel strapping with the holes in it...omg I can't stand it!!! It's difficult to get tight and the sharp edges cut me and I'm worried it'll cut the kids so I need to redo any area with it (really need to use my pennies!). I can use it instead to fasten feeders in place. The rest can hide in the garage tool box until I find a better use for it.

I've had a good run with my 1 1/4" self tapping deck screws and fender washers, but I'm almost out of the screws and I am out of the washers, so I'll be checking back to see how I can finish this up! Thanks!!

 

[Chirp 2011]

Lol y'all! No worries about any hijack! I like knowing what does and doesn't work for others so that I can decide what'll work for us.

Ok, I tried the pennies...I FAILED! I was trying to nail one on simply to cover the corner end piece of the HC so that the kids wouldn't scratch themselves on it, and I couldn't even get the nail all the way through! Granted the nails weren't the best (leftovers from a random picture hanging kit) but I still thought it'd work. Then I tried drilling a hole in the penny to use with a nail or screw (once again - not for durability just kid protection), and I couldn't get hold of it and keep hold of it with pliers etc to drill through. How are you using the pennies??

I've used up all my fender washers and I still have some hardware cloth to put up (quite a bit actually) so I really want to make the penny trick work! The bottle cap idea sounds good, do you flatten them first with a hammer? And are they strong enough? Nail or screw? Pre-drill?

I tried using the galvanized steel strapping with the holes in it...omg I can't stand it!!! It's difficult to get tight and the sharp edges cut me and I'm worried it'll cut the kids so I need to redo any area with it (really need to use my pennies!). I can use it instead to fasten feeders in place. The rest can hide in the garage tool box until I find a better use for it.

I've had a good run with my 1 1/4" self tapping deck screws and fender washers, but I'm almost out of the screws and I am out of the washers, so I'll be checking back to see how I can finish this up! Thanks!!

I used beer caps for the hardware cloth. I flatten them with a hammer then use a nail to punch a hole, then just use screws the same way I did with fender washers. I actually like the bottle cap better than the fender wahsers-- 1) free. I don't drink beer, but plenty of my friends do. One work in a restaurant and I got a bag full of it whenever I want; 2) I can use any size of screw by simply make the hole bigger or smaller; and 3) very decorative. One side of my run I arranged the bottle caps by alternating patterns in each row...so much fun
Yes they are strong enough.