Best Hardware Cloth To Protect Your Poultry - Roosty's
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Unfortunately, chickens can't defend themselves. They might chase and peck you when they’re feeling rowdy, but when faced with a real threat, they stand no chance. You want to protect your flock at all costs, which is where hardware cloth comes in handy. It has been used for generations to shield poultry from numerous outside threats. The wire mesh encases your chicken coop and run so your hens can't escape, and predators can't get in.
Hardware Cloth vs. Chicken Wire
Before we delve into the details, let's address a common query: shouldn't you use chicken wire to protect your chickens? After all, the name suggests it! While chicken wire can be used to protect your flock, hardware cloth is the superior option. Both are forms of wire mesh, but according to Universal Wire Cloth, chicken wire tends to have wider gaps and is much thinner. Hardware cloth, made from thicker galvanized steel, is significantly harder to break.
This means it can withstand attacks from animals trying to get to your chickens and will also last longer, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Picking The Right Gauge For Hardware Cloth
Wire gauge refers to the thickness of a wire. To protect your chickens effectively, you want a wire thick enough to resist pests and predators. The lower the gauge number, the thicker the wire. Hardware cloth typically comes in five different gauges:
- 16
- 19
- 23
- 24
- 27
A general consensus among experts is that 19-gauge hardware cloth is the best option. This thickness is sufficient to keep away various animals, including dogs, coyotes, foxes, possums, mice, and rats.
While you might think a 16-gauge wire for more thickness would be better, the problem is that thicker wire is harder to cut. Hardware cloth comes in large rolls that you need to trim to size yourself. A 19-gauge wire already requires some effort to cut, and 16 might necessitate special tools.
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Choosing The Right Mesh Size For Hardware Cloth
When buying hardware cloth, besides the wire gauge, consider the mesh size or the gaps between wires. The right mesh size ensures your hardware cloth keeps out as many animals as possible. Specialists typically recommend a ½ inch mesh size for hardware cloth. This size is small enough to deter even the tiniest threats while allowing ample light and ventilation.
Selecting The Ideal Height For Your Mesh Fence
By now, you know the right thickness and mesh size for your hardware cloth. Next is the height of the fence, which is crucial for overall protection:
- A hardware cloth fence should be between 4-6 feet high. Four feet is the minimum, allowing birds room to jump and flap. Six feet provides an extra layer of security for birds that might fly higher.
- Dig down at least 8 inches into the ground when setting your fence to prevent chickens from slipping out or predators from burrowing in.
If your fence is too short, animals can easily jump over, and chickens could escape. A 6-foot fence is ideal; anything taller is excessive and unnecessary.
Where To Place Hardware Cloth For Chicken Coop Areas
Besides the perimeter, consider other places to install hardware cloth:
- On openings such as windows in the chicken coop, acting as a barrier without hindering ventilation.
- On top of the chicken run. This is optional as a regular roof can suffice, but a hardware cloth roof keeps things open while offering protection from airborne threats.
Ultimately, selecting the right hardware cloth for chicken coops is simpler than it seems. Ideally, opt for a 19-gauge ½-inch wire mesh. The fence should be at least 4 feet off the ground, and it’s essential to cover windows and openings around the coop.
Check reviews before purchasing to ensure reliability. Now, your chickens will be safe from any unwanted threats.
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