Why hardware cloth? What's the benefit?

[Whitney13]

My coop is protected with hardware cloth but my run is only chicken wire. I keep my chickens locked up in the coop at night and I let them out in the run during the day. My run is 24 ft. x 18 ft. x 6 ft. tall and is covered. So hardware cloth for my run would be way out of my budget, but that was a risk I was willing to take.
I have a hawk that has a nest over the run, a ton of black snakes that eat eggs, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, and opossums. Those are just the predators we have seen. You should think about your situation and wether or not hardware cloth is a good investment for you.

 

[BayouPoules]

DH always says,. "chicken wire,.. keeps chickens in,.. keeps nothing out!" Hardware cloth is worth the expense.

 

[DangerChickenHouse]

Wow! Thanks for all the good advice!

Building my coop is turning out to be way more expensive than I intended.

 

[hcppam]

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Because raccoons, and other predators can rip thru chicken wire and eat your flock.

x2. Trust us.

Dogs can take out chicken wire quite easily, too. It's called chicken wire because it keeps chickens in or out, not predators.

I agree.

 

[baldessariclan]

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They are supposedly distantly related to bears, and are strong as the dickens for something their size!

 

[chickerdoodle]

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WOW. You have been very lucky--so much in fact you may want to buy that lottery ticket and if you win don't forget who told you to do so

! The majority of people who do not have more security experience many more losses so better not to chance it.

It also does depend on where you are--but I believe raccoons and coyotes are ubiquitous.