Hog Rings?

[Howard E]

Too small. They are perfect for attaching 1/2" hardware cloth to 1/2" hardware cloth at 90 degree angles to make a rectangular shaped cage.I mentioned them as some folks use the hog rings for this instead.

Every cattle panel I ever wired together was done with baling wire.

 

[squadleader]

Thanks Howard, I appreciate the reply, that is very helpful to know.

I did so much zip tying with my tractor, I think I became a bit of an expert. By the end, when I was zip tying the hardware cloth to the cattle panels of the anti-dig mat, I was using a double loop at intersections, which locks the wire from moving left, right, forward, or back.

Same in the main cage of the tractor, always zip tie at an intersection, to stop movement in all directions. Also when lapping the hardware cloth six inches at joints of the hardware cloth, always taking the opportunity to not just tie the hardware cloth together, but do it in a spot where the same zip tie also ties the hardware cloth to the cattle panel wire again, like I said at intersections preferably.

If I was alone, I would walk outside the tractor and push both ends into the hardware cloth, so both ends were hanging inside the tractor. After doing hundreds like that, I'd walk in the tractor, zip all the ends down, then go back and cut real close all those hundreds of ends at once and toss them straight into a bucket. Sure didn't want to be lazy toss them on the ground, then have to hunt for them like my 13 year old wanted!

They really do a great job of getting tight, and looking good after you're finished.

That's just what I got good at. With practice, I'm sure the baling wire would be just as fast, and more permanent.

Definitely though, someone should spend a couple dollars more and get at least galvanized wire, or perhaps better the PVC coated wire.

I'm not kidding how bad cheap uncoated wire rusts, I've got a big roll of the double looped wire for rebar in my shed that's incredibly rusty, and it's not even exposed to rain.

Uncoated is just meant for tying the rebar this week, and encasing it in a concrete pour next week, that's all it's supposed to do, very short term. Exposed, it would be a huge mess long term.

I can see it now, rust all over the surrounding wire, and of course the rust is the oxidation and weakening of the wire as well.

 

[Molpet]

I use 1/2 hog rings, usually found in the sausage making section for 1/2 HC to HC .. https://www.amazon.com/LEM-Products-2-Inch-Hog-Rings/dp/B002L7WHGU
#2 or #3 for HC to Cattle Panels https://www.agrisupply.com/hog-rings/c/2800016/
#3 for CP to CP
$3 per pack of 100 locally at Big R farm store

eta the cheap pliers at menards were better for 1/2 HC .. they were thinner

 

[Seaecho]

You guys are so great. So many suggestions! I can't thank you all enough. I've been mulling over all your answers all day. We already have the black UV resistant zip ties that are good for 120 lb (had to order that online because as someone said, it's hard to find) and J clips with J clip pliers. So we've decided to J clip AND zip tie the hardware cloth. Hopefully that'll make it secure enough. We put a hinge on the nest box today, so we're about halfway there. Butting up the cage to the coop will take some doing, then hooking the two cages together, then the hardware cloth, and we'll be done!

 

[Seaecho]

Squadleader, thanks so much for all your help. What you say makes so much sense. About the zip tying at every intersection to keep it from moving in any direction. We'll be sure to do that! You really made yours secure! Bet that makes you feel good, that your chickens are so well protected. What would I have done without this board?

 

[Cryss]

You can afix 50 hog ringers while your fumbling around with one Zip Tie.

Time is money !

I bought hog rings and pliers. I couldn't get a single ring attached to the hardware cloth and chain link. Bought black zip ties. Easy. Might only last a year or 2 but that buys me time to slowly replace them with the metal zip ties others mentioned here. Wish I'd known about those before I started with those darn hog rings!

 

[Molpet]

I bought hog rings and pliers. I couldn't get a single ring attached to the hardware cloth and chain link. Bought black zip ties. Easy. Might only last a year or 2 but that buys me time to slowly replace them with the metal zip ties others mentioned here. Wish I'd known about those before I started with those darn hog rings!

which tool did you have to put them on with? I found a skinnier one in the chainlink section of menards

 

[jthornton]

I bought hog rings and pliers. I couldn't get a single ring attached to the hardware cloth and chain link. Bought black zip ties. Easy. Might only last a year or 2 but that buys me time to slowly replace them with the metal zip ties others mentioned here. Wish I'd known about those before I started with those darn hog rings!

You should be able to attach the hog rings from the edge of the HC. I've not seen any hog ring pliers that would fit through HC.

JT

 

[Cryss]

which tool did you have to put them on with? I found a skinnier one in the chainlink section of menards

Not sure. Its been awhile, but they were made for hog rings.

You should be able to attach the hog rings from the edge of the HC. I've not seen any hog ring pliers that would fit through HC.

JT

Yup, that was the problem. I wasn't working along an edge.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Depends on the size of the HWC? I used hog ring pliers on 1/2" HWC and if you attach everything at a 45 degree angle, no problem getting it in the openings to get the rings attached.