Wire or net to cover run?

[Chickenfam57]

Thanks everyone! I think that’s all I really need to know! We’re not going to risk it, we’ll get the strong stuff for the top too

Oh I guess secondary question if anyone sees this part - we were going to get 1/2” x 1/2” welded wire for the bottom half of the sides and into the ground, then 1.5”x1.5” for the top half of the sides figuring it would be larger animals if they’re climbing up higher than 3’ and 1.5” seems pretty tight. (Looks wise, my husband really didn’t want it to look like a big screen if we can help it) Is 1.5” welded wire sufficient for sides and top or should it be smaller than that?

Chickens can draw critters into your yard.

At 12x14 you'll have to support anything you use as a roof.

Do you need shade and/or snow protection?

Welcome to BYC! @Chickenfam57
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View attachment 3120928

Don’t need shade - it’s the only shady place in our yard during the warm months. My husband is going to build the frame as “twig work” - so it can be built to support as necessary. We may have a couple of heavy snowfalls per year. Eastern Long Island - it’s hit or miss with snow each year but it’s generally not an ongoing thing throughout the winter.

 

[MACCanadianCoop]

Thanks everyone! I think that’s all I really need to know! We’re not going to risk it, we’ll get the strong stuff for the top too

Oh I guess secondary question if anyone sees this part - we were going to get 1/2” x 1/2” welded wire for the bottom half of the sides and into the ground, then 1.5”x1.5” for the top half of the sides figuring it would be larger animals if they’re climbing up higher than 3’ and 1.5” seems pretty tight. (Looks wise, my husband really didn’t want it to look like a big screen if we can help it) Is 1.5” welded wire sufficient for sides and top or should it be smaller than that?

You can paint the wire/hardware cloth black after you've built your run and it will be almost invisible

 

[Chickenfam57]

Thanks everyone! I think that’s all I really need to know! We’re not going to risk it, we’ll get the strong stuff for the top too

Oh I guess secondary question if anyone sees this part - we were going to get 1/2” x 1/2” welded wire for the bottom half of the sides and into the ground, then 1.5”x1.5” for the top half of the sides figuring it would be larger animals if they’re climbing up higher than 3’ and 1.5” seems pretty tight. (Looks wise, my husband really didn’t want it to look like a big screen if we can help it) Is 1.5” welded wire sufficient for sides and top or should it be smaller than that?

 

[mowin]

The photo you started answering my question as I was writing it - but please clarify what is HC - hardware cloth?

Yes. HC = hardware cloth. Some use HWC, I shorten it, lol.

 

[Chickenfam57]

Thank you! We’ll go with the strong stuff!