Using both hardware cloth and chicken wire

[ThinkingChickens]

I was debating using hardware cloth halfway up and chicken wire on the top portion of a walk in run. This would serve two purposes. One, I'd be able to see into the walk in run better for chicken viewing from the porch. Two, it would save money on putting it all the way up as it's a six foot high run.

1. Any issues with doing it this way?
2. Girls would be locked in the coops most nights but if we were ever late home they could be out later.
3. Thinking of plastic lattice for the roof with possible hardware cloth underneath it.

No predators to speak of so far (four months) and we have a six foot high, solid cedar fence outside the run.

 

[bryan99705]

As soon as you install chicken wire you loose a lot of your predator security! Sorry but it's the harsh truth. Another harsh truth is that once the chickes are there, the predators will show up sooner or latter.

If you still stick with your building plan, use 1x2 or 2x4 welded wire instead of chicken wire. You could also do the whole thing with welded wire including the skirt then use hardware cloth to surround the base of the run to prevent reach thrus

Since this is a daytime only run and the birds will never be out in it from dusk till dawn you should be fairly safe. Your daytime threat is mainly diggers and birds as the coons come out normally in the evenings. Birds can be taken care of with deer fence or fruit tree netting or even a tarp that is pitched or angled to shed water, so you don't really need to wire the top. Diggers (fox, dogs, etc) should be turned away with a skirt around the run (just attach one edge of the wire to the run and let it lay. (The grass will grow thru and you can move the run if needed)

You might consider looking on you local Craigslist for chainlink dog kennels. They come in moveable sections, you can buy additional panels for top or expansion if you wish and it may be a lot less expensive. You will still need to skirt and wire the sides against diggers and coon reach thrus but they are solid and self supporting

 

[ThinkingChickens]

I do love the chain link dog kennel but as we have a small flock and our yard needs to remain asthetically pleasing we opted to build a wood and wire structure. The welded wire ideas is a good one as it will give me more visibility from the porch. I will definitely use hardware cloth around the bottom. As far as the girls never being out in the run overnight, this is mostly true except for an occasional overnight camping trip so I do want the run very secure.

 

[pawsplus]

Quote:
Or WOVEN wire, which is stronger than welded. Probably the best thing, other than chain link, is woven wire horse fencing, which is 2" x 4". Then hardware cloth over that on the lower 2 feet and the apron.

Woven wire horse fence comes in both standard 2"x4" rectangles:

or in triangles:

You can usually find both at Tractor Supply and similar places.

 

[wava1vaughn]

Hi from Ga. We have 5 pens all with 2x4 welded wire and around the perimeter I buried 4x4x7' pt lumber 5" in the ground and have been lucky in 4 yrs. have never lost a chicken. My neighbor has lost everyone of his chickens a couple of times the last time to a bobcat. The only problem with hardware cloth is it will rust a way fairly quickly. And if you check the prices welded wire is about the same price. Check the price on different lengths and heights. but if you like what you build it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

 

[wava1vaughn]

Hi from Ga. I have to make a correction last Saturday some of my hens decided they wanted to play in porky's mud puddle. 3 times my wife went in to shoo them out. when we put the chickens to bed that nite we were 1 short. Porky's happy and the other chickens learned a lesson. Its the 1 and only time they have gone in there.

 

[bryan99705]

Quote:
Or WOVEN wire, which is stronger than welded. Probably the best thing, other than chain link, is woven wire horse fencing, which is 2" x 4". Then hardware cloth over that on the lower 2 feet and the apron.

Woven wire horse fence comes in both standard 2"x4" rectangles:

http://www.stockyardsupply.com/page2/images/P2_MaxTight.jpg http://www.stockyardsupply.com/page2/images/P2_WireKnotSample.jpg

or in triangles:

http://www.stockyardsupply.com/page2/images/P2_VMesh.jpg http://www.equisearch.com/MyHorse/upload/0/65/6546/asset_upload_file191_6546.jpg

You can usually find both at Tractor Supply and similar places.

Excellent option if available...looks to be available in 6' tall, stretchable, and solid also if it can be cut easily, you could easily use it for the top and skirt too

 

[ThinkingChickens]

Ooh, I like the look of that triangle stuff. We do have a tractor supply not too far away so we'll go have a look. I definitely don't want to have to worry about a rust issue as we get snow and all, so that's one bummer.

 

[ThinkingChickens]

Quote:
Or WOVEN wire, which is stronger than welded. Probably the best thing, other than chain link, is woven wire horse fencing, which is 2" x 4". Then hardware cloth over that on the lower 2 feet and the apron.

Woven wire horse fence comes in both standard 2"x4" rectangles:

http://www.stockyardsupply.com/page2/images/P2_MaxTight.jpg http://www.stockyardsupply.com/page2/images/P2_WireKnotSample.jpg

or in triangles:

http://www.stockyardsupply.com/page2/images/P2_VMesh.jpg http://www.equisearch.com/MyHorse/upload/0/65/6546/asset_upload_file191_6546.jpg

You can usually find both at Tractor Supply and similar places.

Tractor Supply seems to have "welded wire" and then this, which they are calling "cage wire." http://www.tractorsupply.com/fencing/welded-wire-fencing/cage-wire-36-x-25-ft-1-x-2-in--3627241

Is the cage wire the woven stuff? Just want to know so I don't sound like an idiot when I go in, which happens with me.

 

[ThinkingChickens]

And then check out this one called "rabbit fence" it has smaller gauge already on the bottom- http://www.tractorsupply.com/fencing/welded-wire-fencing/rabbit-guard-fence-40-in-x-50-ft-3627217