The Poultry Keeper

Woodburner · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 1:20 pm Post subject: Smaller holes or thicker wire?

Having given large runs and coops considerable thought, I am now back to my original plan of small mobile coops and runs Neutral

I obviously don't want 2" holes at the sides, as chooks could put their heads out for Reynard to bite off! (Yes I have heard of this happening!) I reckon it'll be alright to go over the runs, from 4ft sloping up to about 6ft, especially as it's made of 1mm thick wire. Wink

My quandry is whether to get 1" hole netting made with 0.9mm wire or 1/2" holes with 0.7mm wire for the sides.
There's precious little difference in price.
1/2" holes have the advantage in case of need to make the runs bird proof, but have thinner wire.
I am worried that the thinner wire would be too easy for Reynard (or Brock) to bust through, but then again maybe the small holes make it harder for them too Confused

Opinions please! Very Happy

Welsh Duck · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 3:00 pm Post subject:

thats a tough one, No idea I'm afraid. If I was building small runs I would use weld mesh. It doesn't take long for holes to appear with netting.

mojo · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 5:53 pm Post subject:

agree with WD but if you want to use mesh pick the smallest holes

Itsybitsy · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 1312 Location: Leicestershire

Smallest holes. . . . . I have had chickens heads bitten off through wire. It's not nice finding a headless body where it has finally collapsed..
I've also had young chicks taken from a broody coop (broody in residence) by something small enough to get in through 1" wire (weasel)

Itsybitsy

www.woodenart.org.uk · Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 34 Location: shropshire

1'' x 1/2'' weldmesh Smile

Woodburner · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:48 am Post subject:

Thanks for the input folks Smile

I'm going for the smaller holes, I can't afford weldmesh for the whole thing(s), but I could maybe get some for strategic repairs if need be.

mudshark · Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Surrey

Just thought you might be interested in a thread on uk.rec.gardening where someone thinks that Itsybitsy is a liar!

http://tinyurl.com/22y6kw

Woodburner · Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:50 pm Post subject:

Well that's one forum I won't be joining and they can keep their arguments away from my thread too! Everyone has their own experiences and views.

Chicken wire hasn't been around long enough for poultry to evolve the intelligence to recognise it and not investigate what's on the other side. Laughing