What other uses have you found for hardware cloth?

[Mtn Laurel]

We just finished a coop and have yet to complete the permanent run [current run is temporary] so I've got hardware cloth hanging around. We have some left on the original roll and then bits and pieces where DH cut it to fit the windows. I wouldn't let him throw the scraps away. No way!

Well, my dogs keep busting the screen out of our front screen door by jumping up when we come home. When they do it #1: The cat gets out. #2: It looks terrible. We just replaced the screen again BUT this time we added hardware cloth, attaching it to the inside of the door. We'll be able to keep out bugs, dogs, AND raccoons! [Not that we ever had a problem with them busting through the screen but you just never know]. The door looks like it belongs on a minimum security prison.

So, what other uses have you found for hardware cloth? I'm just wondering what to do with all these odd sized scraps.

 

[sanmar4chickens]

I was thinking of using our leftovers for brooder.

 

[khoe]

I'm hoping for some good answers to this...I have a ton leftover and would love some ideas.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

I was thinking of using our leftovers for brooder.

OH, we did use some leftover for a grow-out pen. DH also accidentally made a large "grazing frame" when he made the top for the pen. Had to use hardware cloth because the grow out pen was in the regular coop and the Big Girls were hopping on top of it. BUT, when I took the top off and looked at it, it was a perfect grazing frame! Loved it!

Here's an article on grazing frames. That would be a perfect use for leftover pieces. http://www.thegardencoop.com/blog/2012/02/07/grazing-frames-backyard-chickens/

 

[jandlpoultry]

Makes good shelves or potting tables for a green house.

 

[Featherland]

I used some hardware cloth for drying herbs. My dh built a wood frame around a piece. Works great!

 

[sanmar4chickens]

OH, we did use some leftover for a grow-out pen. DH also accidentally made a large "grazing frame" when he made the top for the pen. Had to use hardware cloth because the grow out pen was in the regular coop and the Big Girls were hopping on top of it. BUT, when I took the top off and looked at it, it was a perfect grazing frame! Loved it! Here's an article on grazing frames. That would be a perfect use for leftover pieces. http://www.thegardencoop.com/blog/2012/02/07/grazing-frames-backyard-chickens/

Thanks for the link. I like the idea.

 

[gryeyes]

I use hardware cloth to surround tomato plants and other veggies to keep them safe from chickens. They manage to get into my fenced garden now and again. It is also useful as an extra barrier between the fence and delicious vines like blackberry and raspberry. Without it, the chickens poke their heads through the gaps to snack on the tender shoots. I'm sure they'd do the same once the vines are producing fruit.

 

[mandelyn]

We make little cages for small plants, both for rabbits or chickens. We'll cut the height down to about a foot, and cut off just enough to surround the plant. Then zip tie the ends together, place around the plant, and stake into the ground (we stake them for the smarter than average rabbit who moves them).

Bigger pieces get saved for brooders and the like. Was thinking on using it to make a sifter for the compost pile, to get larger debris that needs to break down further out of the finished soil. I have this garden cart that holds the bigger concrete mixing pan, park that under a wooden frame with hardware cloth over it, and start filling it up one scoop at a time. Mostly it's sticks or rocks from digging out garden areas.

Screen door reinforcement is good too!

 

[Stumpy]

I attached some of the 1/4" type hardware cloth to an old hay fork. It works great for scooping the poop in my sand-filled run. I also made a compost sifter that is large enough to sit on top of my wheelbarrow. I put compost in it and shake it, then throw what remains back in the compost pile. For this I used the 1/2" wire.