What kind of Hardware Cloth to buy?

[VelvettFog]

Quote:
It is. I use it. Works great.

 

[georgiagail]

We have used this hardware cloth from Wayfair on all our runs. To date, nothing has gotten through it.

Gail

 

[CluckHeaven]

I am building a 7 foot tall run with chicken wire, and then welded wire on top on that. Right now the plan was also to put 1/4 inch hardware cloth up the first 12 inches nad then lay 24 inches outward on the ground to discourage diggers.

Just curious - is everyone suggestting hardware cloth all the way up on runs - or just on the coops?

Thanks!

 

[riverpie]

Thanks for all the information. I'll be getting some today. Thanks everybody.

 

[elmo]

Quote:
I wouldn't necessarily conclude that 1/2" by 1/2" wire is better than 4 x 2 inch wire. The gauge is the key factor determining strength. 16 gauge is significantly stronger than 19 gauge. The main problem with 4 x 2 inch openings is the problem of "reach through" predation, but that is something that you can mostly solve by putting a double layer of something with smaller openings (or something solid) in the bottom 2 or 3 feet of the run and anywhere a roost or perch comes close the wire.

Some welded wire is pretty low quality, too. I bought some from inexpensive wire from Amazon to finish up an apron and noticed welds breaking even as I was installing the stuff.

I used 19 gauge wire for our run inside a solid board fenced yard (no roaming dogs to worry about), but at night our flock is locked inside a coop with 16 gauge wire over the windows and vents.

 

[Chemguy]

Quote:
That would be a great way to spend money quickly, for little additional effect. I have seen some coops on the coops page where only hardware cloth is used, but most use some other fencing material for the run. I chose 2x4" welded wire for my 15x20' run (all sides + covering), and laid an apron of chicken wire around the base. The way I see it, the welded wire gives the chickens security, the chicken wire buys them time.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I've only had a dog go through 2"x4" welded wire once. The gap was large enough for him to use his jaws on it and he eventually broke welds on it. Once he got a hole enlarged enough, he forced his way through. I haven't heard of this happening to anyone else. It wasn't cheap wire, but this was an unusually motivated dog.

I think the combination of 2"x4" and chicken wire has worked pretty well for quite a few people. Either one alone definitely has issues.

 

[riverpie]

We bought the 1/2" 19 gauge wire and made an apron around the bottom. I feel much better now. We put it over the chicken wire we originally used. As we were putting it up we found dog paw prints and claw marks on the egg door so we will be reinforcing that somehow too. Something wanted in there very bad. I feel much better having the hardware cloth on the coop too. We even put a pallet and some board up against the back of the coop. Thanks again for all the information.

 

[Hunter0704]

To predator proof my run that is 12 x 6, I layed 1/2 inch hardware cloth on the ground stapling it to the wood run frame so nothing can dig in, then all sides of the run also covered in the same hardware cloth. For the winter, I bought a white heavy duty tarp from Home Depot online, not available in the store, and put that over the hardware cloth on one side of the run because winter winds from that side of coop are horrible. I put the tarp up with screws and washers every 6-8 inches all the way around...top, bottom, sides. I additionally added screws and washers on the rest of the hardware cloth on the run for added security...not totally trusting of the staples. Christmas day saw where raccoon tried to get in at a corner of tarp...a washer and just the head of the screw were laying there. So, I added more screws with washers closer together in that corner and reinforced any other places on the run I thought could stand more screws and washers. I'm determined to keep those raccoons out!!!

Also, attached three foot tall, 1/2 inch hardware cloth all the way around a 20 x 10 kennel that's attached to the run to keep the hens from sticking their heads through the cyclone fencing and to keep raccoons out. Also, covered the top of the kennel with hardware cloth...no one can get in there either. My ducks and chickens are only in the kennel during the day...they are enclosed in the coop at night. Hopefully, I have secured the run and kennel with enough protection...if I find anymore problems with raccoons, which we have a lot of here, the next step will be electrifying the perimeter. A lot of time and expense some of you may be thinking? I lost a hen a few years ago to a raccoon and realized too late that I should have provided much more protection than I did. After all, these animals only have us to protect them. Two years later, after my first horror, I am back into raising chickens and ducks which I love. A responsibility I gladly take on to keep my girls safe. We so enjoy them all!

 

[ECBW]

"So it is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you can win a hundred battles without a single loss" Sun Tzu.

I have only the metal mesh that masonry pallets are wrapped with. They are substantial enough for the foxes, hawks, raccoons and dogs I have in my area. It might not hold if a bear comes along. Luckily, there has not been bear sighting in the vicinity for a long while.