Will This Hardware Cloth Keep out Predators?

[ChickForLife]

The gauge is 23 and is seems a little cheap for 50ft x 3ft. What is a good gauge that can protect chickens?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Acorn-Inte...in-x-50-ft-23-Gauge-Hardware-Cloth/1001856512

 

[natemoore1986]

I used the same on my first run/coop. My experience is yes it will. It’s been six years. No rust. No holes. No predators getting through. Staple or screw in down well. Pictures on my profile.

 

[3KillerBs]

23-gauge is quite thin compared to the usual 19-gauge wire.

If you look at the specs you see that while it's rated to contain birds and chickens (green checkmarks), it's not rated to contain dogs.

If it can't keep dogs in it can't keep dogs (or other predators) out.

 

[aart]

What's weird about this is it doesn't give the size of the holes, unless I missed it.

Most 1/2" HC is 19ga.
Most 1/4" HC is 23ga.

 

[ChickForLife]

What's weird about this is it doesn't give the size of the holes, unless I missed it.

Most 1/2" HC is 19ga.
Most 1/4" HC is 23ga.

Yeah, I didn't see it either. Weird.

 

[ChickForLife]

23-gauge is quite thin compared to the usual 19-gauge wire.

If you look at the specs you see that while it's rated to contain birds and chickens (green checkmarks), it's not rated to contain dogs.

If it can't keep dogs in it can't keep dogs (or other predators) out.

Alright, that is what I though.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Go with a minimum of 19 gauge HC. If you have a large population of larger predators like free ranging neighbor dogs you can get stronger 15 gauge HC.

 

[natemoore1986]

Somethings not right in the description. 23 gauge is basically the diameter of small sewing pin. It’s about 3/128ths of an inch. Lowes doesn’t sell hardware cloth that gossamer thin, unless your Lowes is way different than my Lowes.

The stuff I bought off the shelf would keep a rabid wolf out (or in). It’s 1/2” x 1/2”.