What is the best hardware cloth gauge ??

[dheltzel]

Also check ebay. I have bought there as well as Amazon and Walmart.com, the prices fluctuate a whole lot. I got a super deal recently because the delivery date was like a month in the future. They actually delivered it much sooner. As much a shipping costs, I can't imagine they made enough to pay the wholesale price of the wire.
The wire gauge is directly related to size of the holes. 1/2 uses large wire than 1/4 inch. Both seem equally strong to me, with the lighter wire benefiting from having twice as many wires running across the same span.
I think any HWC is impregnable to predators except at the edges, that is always where any intrusions occur, so the size of the wire or the holes is far less important than how you secure the edges. That comes from experience. So focus your planning and spending on making sure it is attached securely and won't work loose in a year or 2.

 

[jeria]

Is 1/2 in or 1/4 in easier to work with? Sounds like they are both pretty strong.

Whatever I fasten it with either those hammered in brads or screws and washers, I'm thinking also putting solid trim over it. I've had coons get my attic a couple years ago and do tons of damage. So totally thinking security, tis why I'm starting a year ahead of chicks. So my coop and run plans are in that flex stage of drawing and re-drawing.

Amazon had some pretty good prices with Prime. Walmart had fewer size choices. Not ordering until June as April and May have busted my budget a bit with un-expected things like having to buy a lawnmower, 2 yo one died. So will have to watch both as time gets closer.

 

[Dmontgomery]

I've bought several rolls of 1/2" HC from Amazon this month. I figured I saved about 70 cents per foot for 50 rolls over buying locally.
I just posted some pictures of my 1/2" wire in my thread "New coop project" showing trim boards over the wire edges.

 

[jeria]

? 50 rolls or 50 foot rolls?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I'm planning and researching materials for a coop and run that will be built later this summer. Hardware cloth comes in varying gauges. With nasty coons, some fox, and an overzealous 60+ pound playful pup what would you use? The heaviest I've found so far is 19 gauge.

I wouldn't go lighter than 19 gauge. What are you going to use it for? We only use it to cover openings on the coop itself. I use 2x4 welded wire 14 gauge for run walls and dig proof apron. That gauge is chew proof. The small hardware I use to keep weasels out so only on the coop itself. If hawks are not a problem a hot wire to stop climbers would be effective and you could forego covering the run and run size becomes nearly limitless. Polywire is cheap and if your run is near power a plug in fence charger isn't much, you'd only need 0.5 joule for 6k volts running one wire near top of run. Plastic nail on insulators to stand the poly wire off the run are about $9 for pack of 25.

 

[Dmontgomery]

? 50 rolls or 50 foot rolls?

Sorry, 50' rolls.

And I'm probably wrong about that. I think the wire cost me 70 cents per foot for 50' rolls, instead of saving that much. I think it sells locally for about $1 per foot, so I saved 30 cents per foot for each 50' roll. Paid about $35 per roll instead of $50.

 

[10 acre woods]

After a coon tore through the 19 gauge hardware cloth that I used to cover a window opening. Then killed 15 of the young chickens that I had hatched from very expensive shipped eggs. I have switched over to using 1/2 inch by 1 inch welded wire. I got mine from Rural King.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Wow that agri supply wire is very cheap!

I hadn't heard of that before but the cheapest I founs before now was windscreens4less.com

I would check there and see how prices compare

 

[jeria]

10 acre woods, I've been concerned about using hardware cloth due to nasty coons in the area. My first plans were welded wire since I have known little about hardware cloth. It sounds though like most are using it even with predators. My run top will be a roof due to shade, downpours, and security. It has been sounding like hardware cloth is easier to work with than the welded wire. With you saying the coons made quick work of hardware cloth my run makes one re-think the plan and go back to the original.

 

[cacknballs]

if i'm you i'm putting just regular 1/2" cloth you can get from lowe's or tractor supply, then i'd put some hog panel on top of that.


https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/feedlot-panel-hog-16-ft-l-x-34-in-h?cm_vc=-10005

screw it in right and a bear would have a tough time getting in there.

hog panel keeps dogs out, 1/2" hardware cloth keeps out erthing else...