Building a chicken coop ?

Hi all,

I am planning on building a chicken coop for the first time.  I am interested in purchasing hardware cloth to dig from the  shed wall - down a foot out a couple feed to prevent predators from digging in and under.  Most things I have read recommend 19 gauge.  But I am finding it nearly impossible to find 1/4 in, 19 gauge hardware cloth (especially in the lengths I am looking for 36 in by 50 ft).  Does anyone have recommendations as to whether 19 gauge is really necessary for this purpose.  Or is 1/4 in overkill?  I am also hoping to keep the rodents to a minimum with smaller opening.  

Thanks for sharing your advise,
Christine

Christine Fleming wrote:Hi all,

I am planning on building a chicken coop for the first time.  I am interested in purchasing hardware cloth to dig from the  shed wall - down a foot out a couple feed to prevent predators from digging in and under.  Most things I have read recommend 19 gauge.  But I am finding it nearly impossible to find 1/4 in, 19 gauge hardware cloth (especially in the lengths I am looking for 36 in by 50 ft).  Does anyone have recommendations as to whether 19 gauge is really necessary for this purpose.  Or is 1/4 in overkill?  I am also hoping to keep the rodents to a minimum with smaller opening.  

Thanks for sharing your advise,
Christine

1/2" hardware cloth is 19 gauge and will work fine for what you are doing.  It's pretty much what everyone uses.

Thanks Trace!

If I had it to do all over again, I'd choose a chicken tractor over a chicken coop.  Birds are too hard on the plants when kept in the same place.