What gage to use for a really big chicken run?

[monkeyjason]

very confused about the gages?

 

[OldRoo]

the smaller the number, the heavier the wire, thus16 ga wire is stronger than 19 ga wire

 

[teach1rusl]

OP - Are you meaning the thickness of the wire or the sze of the holes/gaps??? I'm curious, because I don't see how wire guage is relevant to run size???

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: It's not

 

[jeepguy982001]

smaller the number the thicker the wire same as a shotgun a 12gauge is bigger then a 20 gauge

 

[OldGuy43]

Unless the OP is talking about an electric fence. Guess we ought-ta wait and see what he says?

 

[monkeyjason]

Ah ok. So smaller the number, the better.

Is there a minimum gage I should look at. I.e no thinker than x gage and holes no bigger than x by x

I have been looking at 1"x1"?

 

[OldGuy43]

Ah ok. So smaller the number, the better.

Is there a minimum gage I should look at. I.e no thinker than x gage and holes no bigger than x by x

I have been looking at 1"x1"?

Not necessarily better, just stronger. It depends on what your goal is, containing your flock or excluding predators. If your only goal is containment than a smaller wire will suffice. If predator exclusion is the primary goal than you have to ascertain what size of predator you will be dealing with. Obviously, it takes stronger wire to stop a bear than a rabbit. Other things that will affect your decision:

• What is available.
• What is your budget? Larger wire costs more.

One more thing to remember, the heavier the wire the harder it is to work with.



Click for larger image.

 

[Trefoil]

Use the largest wire you can get in the size you need. 1" x 1" should be good for anything but weasels as long as its not like 20g. 14g would be great if you can get it.

 

[monkeyjason]

Brilliant that helps a lot, thank you.

The only worry I have really is for mr fox, want to keep him out.

The run will be 20x22ft. Making harder to fox proof. But as long as he can't bite through the wire I have the top and bottom sorted.

Very few bears in Buckinghamshire England. Got the hens as day olds so would hate to lose one.