Plastic Hardware Cloth?

[WoodlandWoman]

For just keeping hawks out, that would probably work. For anything else, it wouldn't work at all.

I would worry about the snow load in winter, as those small holes will catch snow and you'll end up with a heavy blanket of snow that will collapse it. I would go with something that has larger holes, that will let snow through.

You don't normally have to worry about chickens being killed by something reaching through the wire ceiling of a daytime walk-in run, it's more of an issue on the sides. So, you only need openings in the wire that are small enough to prevent the particular predator's body from going through. Now, if your run is only 2' high, then you need the same security that you need for the run walls.

 

[blefky]

I was just checking online to see what exactly "half inch plastic hardware cloth" looks like. I'm sure it would be fine to keep out birds of prey, but geez, at 4.00 - 4.50 per foot, unless your run is really, really small that's going to get very expensive! There are other, less expensive but still adequate materials out there for that purpose. And, as already stated, no type of plastic is going to be safe from other predators.

 

[mulewagon]

I used the plastic hardware cloth, when my chicks were tiny, to surround the inside base of the coop. It had lots of little places chicks could get trapped in. I attached the cloth about two feet up all around the inside walls, and covered the bottom with pebbles. When they got big enough to dig it up, I ripped it off.

 

[Horizon Structures]

Quote:
That's what I was thinking too! The vinyl-coated hardware cloth should work great, and is probably better with moisture or when used underground than the non-coated hardware cloth. Probably more than you need for just the top of a run, however. But, hey, whatever floats your boat!

 

[jettgirl24]

I just use that thin bird netting over the top of my run and it works great for keeping hawks and the like out. I imagine the thicker plastic would be even sturdier so I think it would probably work great for that purpose.

 

[lishah2000]

Works good to keep chicks in a run and good to set up a temporary area inside a run. I use it a lot when I have hens with chicks for the first week or so. I have it about a foot up inside my baby run, just to keep the chicks from getting out. Would work as good a netting for hawks. Squirrels will chew holes in it. Wouldn't stop anything from getting in. I like it because it's easy to set up or take down a temporary area. Keeps the birds in, but I know it wouldn't keep anything out.

 

[elmo]

Quote:
Vinyl coated wire is going to be more expensive than the plain galvanized wire. That's one quick way to tell the difference.

Usually the 1/4" by 1/4" wire is a high gauge (19, 20 or even 23), and that's a really thin wire. I've used the 16 gauge but cutting it with a pair of wire cutters is a real workout. But you're right, nothing smaller than a bear is getting through that.

 

[gumbii]

my buddy just made a mini show pen for his OEGB's out of this stuff... he got it at home depot for 10 bucks... i forgot how many feet, but it's 36" wide... it's light like 5 pounds total, and made pretty well...



anyways... this is the stuff that i was talking about... it's horrible to work with... if you staple it too tight it will cut it...

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I have used it to keep hawks out- and to protect saplings from deer horns/chewing.

It is great also for making a tiny run for chicks to play in the sun while under observation. But no predator other than airborne would be stopped by it.

 

[speedy2020]

I would think the heavy duty hardware plastic cloth don't last. It becomes brittle after couple seasons in the sun. I would stick with metal hardware cloth and not dealing with the repair or replace every couple year.