Chicken Wire vs. Hardware Cloth for a DIY Chicken Coop

If you have chickens, ducks, or turkeys and want to keep them safe from predators, a durable coop is essential. Poultry netting and certain types of wire mesh can help safeguard your flock, but some materials work better than others. Here's what you should know about protective screens for your feathered friends.

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Is Chicken Wire Good for Coops?

Based on its name, chicken wire seems like the obvious choice for a chicken coop. This hexagon-shaped mesh (also known as hex mesh or poultry netting) can be used for runs and coops, though it's not necessarily the best option.

Things to Consider Before Buying Chicken Wire

If your main goal is to keep your fowl contained, hex mesh should do the trick. It'll prevent your chickens from escaping your yard and ensure they remain safely in the coop.

Poultry netting is affordable and versatile, and it can even keep some predators at bay. Installing it over the top of the coop can prevent birds of prey like hawks from swooping in during the day and deter owls at night. If you bury chicken wire fencing deep enough, it can also safeguard your coop from possums and raccoons.

However, some animals may be able to find a way to enter. Depending on where you live, this could include coyotes, foxes, skunks, or snakes.

Since hex mesh is flexible and has relatively large openings, many predators can reach (or crawl or slither) through it or tear a large enough hole to gain access. Even smaller burrowers, like minks and weasels, might be able to fit through chicken wire weaves.

Why You Should Consider Hardware Cloth for Your Chicken Coop

If you'd rather be safe than sorry, you may want to use hardware cloth for your henhouse instead. Don't let the word "cloth" throw you off&#;the stainless steel material is incredibly sturdy and more like a panel than cloth.

How Hardware Cloth Stands Out

To secure your coop and keep your flock safe from curious pets and hungry predators, day or night, hardware cloth is the way to go.

Stainless steel wires are either woven or welded into a sturdy grid and then galvanized for an added layer of strength and weather resistance. Most importantly, these wire mesh sheets have much smaller holes than poultry netting.

Your best bet for a DIY chicken coop is to select a welded hardware cloth with openings no larger than a half-inch. Also, the thicker the wire diameter, the better, as animals will be less likely to bend, manipulate, and tear through the mesh.

With the right material, you'll have peace of mind knowing your chickens are protected from all angles. Diggers, flyers, slitherers, and crawlers are no match for welded, galvanized mesh.

Where to Buy Wire Mesh Materials for Chicken Coops

If you're ready to build a DIY chicken coop or fencing for your flock, TWP Inc. has all the materials you need. As one of the world's premier wire mesh suppliers, we've been providing DIYers with the highest-quality products since .

Our women-owned company is a trusted resource for homeowners and commercial organizations alike. We carry an impressive selection of farming, gardening, pest control, and predator-proofing products. This includes stainless steel hex mesh, welded wire mesh, and galvanized hardware cloth in a broad range of wire diameters and opening sizes. We can accommodate custom orders too.

Order your materials today or contact us with any questions!

TWP Inc. would love to feature your completed project in our online gallery. Upload photos of your chicken coop to Instagram using the hashtag #TWPWireMesh.

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Deciding between hardware cloth and chicken wire for your chicken coop needs? This article breaks down the advantages and disadvantages of each to help you make the best choice for your backyard chickens.

When it comes to safeguarding your feathered friends from predators, relying on chicken wire or poultry netting is a logical choice. After all, it&#;s right there in the name, isn&#;t it? However, my own experience in the world of raising chickens taught me a valuable lesson: chicken wire simply doesn&#;t cut it.

Ok, we are going to talk about predator proofing your chicken coop and run and how I quickly learned that poultry netting is not strong enough to keep raiders out.

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When I started keeping backyard chickens, I covered my chicken run with what I believed to be adequate fencing &#; standard chicken wire.

One morning as I walked to the coop to let the hens out for the day, I was shocked to discover the chicken wire was torn. Like, literally split in half with a gaping hole in the wall of the pen. Luckily, it happened overnight and my small flock of chickens was locked up safely in their coop. But if it had happened during the day, well, that would have been a different story.

But the incident was a wake-up call: a flimsy barrier wouldn&#;t suffice against determined intruders. We grabbed some sturdy galvanized welded wire fencing and attached it to the pen to provide a stronger layer of protection.

Days later, I heard a commotion from the chickens. I quickly glanced out the window to witness a fox throwing itself at the double wire protected pen. He was literally flinging himself against the pen attempting to break through the fencing.

The extra layer of fencing held and I rushed out with a broom to scare the fox away, but I knew he would be back. I also knew from years of using it around the garden that welded wire tended to separate at the joints and a persistent critter could work its way in.

Enter hardware cloth &#; a robust solution that surpasses the limitations of both traditional chicken wire and wire fencing.

We had a leftover roll of hardware cloth that we used to secure the chicken coop&#;s windows, air vent openings, and even under the floor so nothing could dig their way through the plywood flooring. With its sturdy construction and finer mesh, hardware cloth provides a level of security that poultry netting simply cannot match.

We wasted no time in replacing the compromised chicken wire with hardware cloth, reinforcing every vulnerable point of our run. We even dug about a foot around the pen and buried the hardware cloth to deter diggers.

Like many new chicken owners, we mistakenly thought chicken wire would be enough for the pen.

It&#;s not.

It turns out it is easy for predators to cut through the steel wire mesh by force or using their teeth. The wire also degrades quickly, weakening enough to break under the simple strain of a hen reaching through the poultry netting for a blade of grass. Broken pieces pose a danger to your hens as they can be ingested, cause puncture wounds or eye injuries.

I suggest securely enclosing your coop and outdoor run with hardware cloth.

Chicken Wire vs. Hardware Cloth

When securing a backyard chicken coop and run, chicken wire and hardware cloth are two common materials. But which provides better protection from predators? Let&#;s compare the advantages and disadvantages.

Chicken wire, also called poultry netting, is an affordable, lightweight mesh popular for basic fencing needs. However, it has considerable vulnerabilities as a protective run covering. The holes are relatively large, and predators can easily chew or rip the wire.

Hardware cloth is made of heavier gauge, galvanized, stainless steel, or bare steel wires woven tightly together into smaller openings difficult for predators to fit through. This sturdy construction stands up to diligent chewing or scratching and resists general wear over time. Hardware cloth does carry disadvantages like higher cost and reduced flexibility that make installation a bit more difficult.

Chicken wire and hardware cloth serve similar purposes in chicken pen security but differ significantly in terms of construction, strength, and effectiveness:

Construction:

• Chicken wire: Chicken wire is typically made from lightweight galvanized wire twisted into a hexagon mesh pattern. It is designed to provide a barrier while allowing airflow and visibility.
• Hardware cloth: Hardware cloth, on the other hand, is made from heavier gauge wire woven into a grid pattern, usually square or rectangular. It is more rigid and solid compared to chicken wire.

Strength:

• Chicken wire: Chicken wire is relatively lightweight and flexible. While it can deter some predators, it is vulnerable to damage from chewing, clawing, or bending. Larger predators like raccoons or foxes can easily tear through the wire mesh.
• Hardware cloth: Hardware cloth is much stronger and more durable than chicken wire. Its thicker gauge wire and tighter mesh make it resistant to penetration and damage from predators. It can withstand attempts to tear or chew through it, offering better protection for chickens.

Effectiveness:

• Chicken wire: Chicken wire is suitable for lightweight applications where predators are minimal or easily deterred. It can effectively enclose small areas or create temporary barriers within the coop or pen.
• Hardware cloth: Hardware cloth is highly effective for securing chicken coops and pens against a wide range of predators, including hawks, weasels, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, dogs, possums, and rodents. Its strength and durability make it the preferred choice for long-term protection of poultry.

While chicken wire may work for certain low-risk situations, it often proves inadequate for protecting chickens from determined predators. You can use chicken wire inside the coop or run to help fence off areas to divide your hens, such as separating a brooding hen hatching eggs or young pullets from older chickens.

Hardware cloth offers superior security due to its stronger construction and resistance to damage, making it the recommended choice for ensuring the safety of your backyard poultry.

Selecting and Installing Hardware Cloth for Your Chicken Run

Hardware cloth is my top choice for its strength and reliability when it comes to fortifying your chicken run against potential predators.

By investing in high-quality hardware cloth, you can safeguard your feathered companions against predators, providing them with a safe and secure environment to thrive in.

Choosing the Right Hardware Cloth

Hardware cloth consists of steel wires woven or welded together and then hot-dipped in zinc for galvanization, shielding it from rust. While stiff, it remains flexible enough to be shaped by hand.

For maximum security, aim for a 19-gauge 1/2-inch galvanized hardware cloth. This specific gauge strikes a balance, offering sufficient rigidity without compromising flexibility. Smaller 1/4 inch mesh size, or lower gauge, tends to become brittle with age, while large openings leave room for unwanted intruders like snakes and small predators like mice and rats to slip through.

Hardware cloth is available in various widths ranging from 3 to 6 feet. Roll lengths vary from 5 to 100 feet. While the initial investment can be pretty pricy, it is the best option for protecting your flock from predators.

Installation Tips

Here are some tips to securely attach hardware cloth to your chicken run:

1. Preparation: Measure and cut the hardware cloth to size using wire snips, ensuring a snug fit around the perimeter of your chicken run. Overlap the edges by 4 to 6 inches and leave no gaps larger than 1/2 inch.
2. Securing: Attach the fence securely to your frame or posts using 3/4-inch galvanized poultry fencing staples. Avoid utilizing staples from hand-powered staple guns, as they tend to rust and may come loose over time, posing a hazard to your chickens. Use galvanized staples fired from a pneumatic staple gun or hammered in for superior durability and reliability.
3. Burying: To thwart diggers, bury the hardware cloth at least a foot beneath the ground, preventing predators from tunneling their way into the run.

Once attached, hardware cloth retains its shape effectively, providing a strong barrier against potential threats. I suggest regularly inspecting the run to be sure the staples are secure and to identify any signs of damage so you can promptly address any issues to maintain the security of your chicken run.

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I hope I have convinced you that chicken wire or poultry netting is not enough to keep your hens safe. Due to its susceptibility to damage, degradation, and cunning predators, it is an inadequate defense for your flock. Please take this cautionary tale seriously and opt for the strength and reliability of hardware cloth. Your hens&#; lives depend on it.

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