Opinions! Does this door need hardware cloth? *PICS*

[Tdub4chiks]

Use both. It will also help keep bees from building in your coop.

 

[elmo]

I'm using both hardware cloth and insect screening. I had my coop up and running in August and found no problem with the insect screening blocking or reducing ventilation.

 

[sheila3935]

that gives me an idea for my front door screen. I have a lab that always end up ripping the screen. If i use hardware cloth on the inside and regular screen on the outside then he couldnt rip the screen. Thanks guys!

 

[patandchickens]

Definitely needs hardwarecloth if you want it to be predatorproof. Raccoons and dogs/coyotes could FOR SURE get up there and go thru.

I truly, truly do not see what the problem is with using hardwarecloth AND existing screening, though. Hardwarecloth, even the 1/4" stuff, does not appreciably interfere with airflow. Take a piece, hold it up in front of windowscreen on a breezy day, and see for yourself

Put the hardwarecloth on the OUTSIDE, so that chicken dust and kicked-up bedding and feathers do not accumulate between the two layers; and you will have to brush dust etc off the screen sometimes (but would have to even if it were alone); and you'll be fine, really.

Pat

 

[Ridgerunner]

I know you said you would do the hardware cloth, which I strongly agree with. I really don't see the advantage of the screen. I like bees, wasps, flies, spiders and other creepy crawlies and such in the coop. It is extra protein and the chickens have so much fun trying to catch their own dinner.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
With what the screen door cost us, I think it's just a matter of DH being reluctant to tear the screen out. We'll probably end up using both. The other side of the opening is going to be hardware cloth only, so creepy crawlies can still get in. There is a window at the back of the coop that we plan to leave open all the time for ventilation. It will be covered in hardware cloth on the outside.
Now we're just waiting for the weather to cooperate so we can make these changes.

 

[Carols Clucks]

If Hubby is concerned about ruining the look of the door, you could trim the hardware cloth edge side with some molding to match the door and cover the rough wire edges.

 

[kichohana]

Better safe than sorry!

I bought a screen door on clearance for my run. I left the screen on and covered the inside with hardware cloth, then painted the wood trim to match the coop. You can't really see the h.c. until you get close because of the black screen covering it.

 

[woodmort]

Hardware cloth on the outside, overlapping the frame by at least 3 inches then covered with lath so it can get pushed in or torn off.

 

[can you hear me now?]

I say yes coyote racoons and possible just a determined dog would still pose a threat.