What does hardware cloth look like?

[Stella1964]

I've only ever seen chicken wire in our hardware/country stores...but in different gauges. Some of it is almost impossible to pull apart and cuts up your hands if you try, and another type is very heavy with about 1/2 inch squares of wire. Is that good enough security?

 

[airmom1c05]

I don't know if you can tell from the picture, but the strong wire with 1/2" openings is more than likely hardware cloth like I used. The lower the gauge, the stronger the wire.

 

[spatcher]

They call it "hardware cloth" but in reality it is wire with small openings, usually about a half inch squares.

 

[catfish]

you can find it in with 1/4" squares too, Try TSC (Tractor Supply Company) if you have one locally.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp..._____14345|14359|14375|36200?listingPage=true
Theres some 1/4" at TSC.

 

[kees]

I bought the 1/4" hardware cloth and use wire snips to cut it. Be careful though! Even though I trimmed all of the edges to make them safe, I got caught on a wire a couple of weeks ago and now am sporting a 2 1/2" scar on my hand. However, my chickens are worth it.

 

[Dawn419]

Hi Stella1964!

Here's a close-up pic of 1/2" by 1/2" hardware cloth attached to a section of a cattle panel.

It can be a bugger to work with, rather rigid and unforgiving in the cuts/scratches department. I've gone through 2, cheap to decent pairs of leather work gloves, while working on wiring our coops/runs.

Hardware cloth is more expensive than the chicken wire but well worth using it in the long run as predators can't get through it (atleast that has been our experience). We've had our flock for just at a year and haven't had any predator problems, as far as "break-ins" go.

Hope this helps!

Dawn

 

[Chick_a_dee]

It is EVIL to work with, but the cuts and scrapes are worth it in the end. I'm making our brooder box using it, and it's really good, although I can't seem to get it nice and tight on the bigger openings, but then again It's my first time really working with it.

 

[Stella1964]

Quote:
Dawn, and everyone else, thank you for explaining this to me and for the pix. I am soooo relieved.

The 1/2 inch "hardware cloth" (I believe it is called garden wire in these parts!) is exactly what I have purchased, so I'm good to go!

 

[Dawn419]

You're so Welcome!

That's what we're here for!

Dawn