19 or 23 gauge 1/4 inch hardware cloth.

[Pgw]

I am building a large coup and wanted 19 gauge 1/4 inch 4 ft wide and it is difficult to find. The reason I am trying to use 1/4 inch is to deter raccoons. We have many and was told they can put their can put their claws through half inch hardware and literally rip it off. Anyone with advice? Also is galvanized better than black vinyl coated cloth. Thanks!

 

[DonyaQuick]

We have many and was told they can put their can put their claws through half inch hardware and literally rip it off.

Secure it with regularly spaced screws through 1in washers rather than just staples. If the HWC is decent quality it will stay put against even a pretty big animal pulling on it.

I've never found thicker gauge 1/4in HWC either; I've used the softer 1/4in stuff for daytime-only enclosures meant for little chicks to keep snakes out, and that stuff really is a LOT softer so I've never wanted to test it against larger nocturnal animals.

Also is galvanized better than black vinyl coated cloth.

I would worry that the vinyl coating would get picked off over time making it potentially more subject to rust. However, I haven't personally ever used it, so I don't know for sure how well the coating holds up. I've only ever used the galvanized stuff.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

The reason I am trying to use 1/4 inch is to deter raccoons. We have many and was told they can put their can put their claws through half inch hardware and literally rip it off. Anyone with advice?

Not true, in my experience.. 1/2 inch is plenty sufficient and what we always recommend on this forum.. I've had heads ripped off in standard dog kennels and raccoon are a major factor here.. but not a single incident using 1/2 inch hardware cloth.. I would even go as far as calling it the gold standard. As mentiioned by the first poster.. proper installation is also key.. mine is sandwich bwtween the wooden frame using wooden firring strips (or 2x3's) and screws rather than washers.

Best wishes on your build!

 

[Debbie292d]

Not true, in my experience.. 1/2 inch is plenty sufficient and what we always recommend on this forum.. I've had heads ripped off in standard dog kennels and raccoon are a major factor here.. but not a single incident using 1/2 inch hardware cloth.. I would even go as far as calling it the gold standard. As mentiioned by the first poster.. proper installation is also key.. mine is sandwich bwtween the wooden frame using wooden firring strips (or 2x3's) and screws rather than washers.

Best wishes on your build!

I agree, and will add that galvanized is what most get. We bought that and it's held up for years.

 

[DobieLover]

We have many and was told they can put their can put their claws through half inch hardware and literally rip it off.

I don't know who told you that but that is completely false. However they can probably rip through the 1/4" hardware cloth because it's so flimsy. A dog running full tilt that wasn't able to stop would blast right through 1/4" cloth. Stick to the 1/2" hardware cloth that has been recommended by the other posters. You will not regret it.

 

[aart]

Secure it with regularly spaced screws through 1in washers rather than just staples.

This^^^ is key.
It's more the attachments that ail rather than the mesh.
Also it must be smooth and flat, no buckling that might allow a tooth to gain leverage.

 

[sgp1]

+1 on 1/2" HC being sufficient. Used to have raccoons in my yard all the time - never had any problems with coop. Fastened the HC to a wood frame using screws+washers.

 

[perkolator]

1/4" is thinner gauge and will collect considerably more dust and feathers vs 1/2", and aesthetically will always look dirty because of that

 

[va-chickens]

Hello all, new member here. I'm building my first coop in Central Virginia. This post is timely for me. I was thinking I needed 1/4" HWC but I see 1/2" will do the work. Seems 19ga is pretty available, is that sufficient or do I need to find something larger? Any suggestions on the best place to buy it? Thanks.

 

[Pgw]

I bought 48 inch 50ft 1/2 19 ga off Amazon. The brand was Seboss galvanized after welding. Read somewhere I think it was better to buy the after weld? I am new as well and just finished my run. It was a bear to work with for me because my run is large. I bought 2 50 ft rolls and hadn't seen a bad weld yet. Good luck! Invest in a cutoff tool for cutting. So easy and fast.