We are looking at the prices of wire mesh and its really expensive for how much we would need!(like over $1,000!) Chicken wire is much less expensive but we have lots of small rodents like squirrels, rats, mice, possum etc., and wouldn't want to risk our eggs!(we can't free range due to stray cats). Any recommendations for places with cheap wire for our future run and coop?
Or should we spend the money for the outside of the run, and have bird netting on the top? AGH decisions, decisions!
I keep buying most all of my hardware cloth and some of my welded wire fencing from Amazon. I have a Prime account with free shipping. I bought my 6' welded wire fencing at TSC when it was on sale(not sure they still have it at this price) 100 ft / 6 ft. High for $129. I got my 4ft. welded wire fencing on Amazon but I would have to check what that price was. I also bought a net on Amazon for the top but haven't used it yet. I will be using it over my duck pen more than likely. For the chicken run we roofed one part and covered the other part with chicken wire. I bought my wire a roll at a time and was stockpiling it....it wasn't a huge hit at once that way. Hope this helps...
Not many use hardware cloth on the run. 2x2 or 2x4 welded wire in 14 gauge is more typical. It wont stop weasels but they are primarily night predators stopped by closing the coop door each night. We've never lost a bird using 2x4 welded wire and a 2x4 wire dig proof apron. Close the door each night every night.
Edit to add- wish I could find the post from about a month ago with great picture of large hole through hardware cloth. Neighbors dog didn't read all the praise of predator stopping hardware cloth is reported to have. Seriously, 14 gauge wire is needed and your not going to find that in a cloth mesh. Hardware cloth works well as small animals can't chew through it, mouths are not small enough to fit through 1/2 inch or weasel chew through 19 guage but it's not strong enough for powerful animals. Large dogs can not chew or tear through 14 guage nor can a skunk or raccoon fit through 2x4 openings. Welded wire or electric or combination of both has proven results on runs. Hardware cloth is better suited for coop openings to keep out weasel.
Rats are another story and you should have a plan of action you'll be using before the birds arrive. Traps, drowning stations or what ever you'll be doing should start from day one so they don't get a foot hold. Once they are established there is no other way to rid them other than poison. I use tamper proof bait stations with chunx bait. If no chicks are in the run a box goes right in the run too.
Hi MckeeCoop, I can't help with the wire mesh but I know about stray and feral cats! I have a herd of them around here. Down to about 5 at the moment but they don't bother the chickens. Had them all spayed and neutered through our county TNR (trap, neuter and return) program. We feed them twice a day and they keep down the rodent and snake population, don't bother the chickens at all and the chickens free range all day.
Of course if one of them started bothering the chickens they would be re-homed elsewhere. Just saying the cats could be beneficial and they loose a lot of their bad instincts of fighting among themselves and be aggressive after being fixed. For a little cat food they will work to keep your area rodent and snake free, win-win!
Good luck!
Kris
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TWP Inc. offers in-stock products in various sizes, as well as custom wire mesh measured and laser cut in the exact dimensions and quantity you need. Here's what to know.
What Size Does Wire Mesh Come In?
Prefabricated wire mesh comes in many sizes as well as in sheets, rolls, and panels. That said, sizing refers to not only the overall dimensions but also wire diameter, opening size, and mesh count.
Wire Diameter: Sometimes called gauge, wire diameter is the thickness of a round wire.
Opening Size: The size of the square or hexagonal holes is measured by the distance between the closest two parallel wires.
Mesh Count: This is the number of openings (holes) per linear inch on a sheet of metal mesh.
Check out our 101 Guide to Industrial Wire Cloth Terminology to explore more key terms.
Prefabricated Wire Mesh Panels, Sheets & Rolls
TWP Inc. carries an extensive selection of pre-cut wire mesh. When you browse our offerings, you'll find panels, sheets, and rolls of varying sizes, gauges, and counts, all in stock and ready to ship.
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Need a specific size or quantity? TWP Inc. quickly fulfills custom orders to precise specifications. The materials are often delivered faster than DIYers would have completed the measuring and cutting process on their own.
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With an ISO certification for laser-cut mesh fabric fabrication, you can expect quality workmanship with every order.
Our laser cutting technique guarantees:
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Beyond minimizing wasted materials, ordering custom mesh fabric with a tight tolerance (dimensional accuracy) can save you money by preventing damage during the installation process.
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Learn more about the Benefits of Laser Cutting Wire Mesh.
Get Quality Wire Mesh Cut to Size at TWP Inc.
TWP Inc. is committed to saving customers time and money by providing high-quality materials for every application. As a leading supplier of wire mesh for a wide array of DIY projects, homeowners, hobbyists, and crafters alike rely on our products and services.
Founded in in Berkeley, California, our woman-owned business has been fabricating metal mesh and hardware cloth for over 50 years. Whether you purchase pre-cut materials or request a custom order, you can count on quick turnarounds and fast, reliable shipping.
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