1" Hardware Cloth for quail enclosure

Anyone have experience with 1" hardware cloth to know if it's sufficient to keep out predators? We have racoons, opossums and fox in our area.

I typically use 1/2" hardware cloth but  I'm working on design for an enclosure where I can rotate the quail to different quadrants and plant the unoccupied areas and want to makes sure pollinators have access.

I feel pretty confident that a racoon could reach through 1" hardware cloth. I would recommend at least 1/2" to prevent them from reaching your birds. Ideally, I'd recommend maybe even 1/4" for easy to reach spots just to be safe.

Hi Arron;
1/2" should be fine for the larger predators you mentioned, one inch is too large.
As coons are strong your wire would need to be secured well.

However, smaller predators such as weasels, snakes, and rats need 1/4" hardware cloth to keep them out.
I do not know how large an opening pollinators need for access, perhaps 1/4" is acceptable?

Could you open the sides/ top of the growing areas during the day to allow free access for pollinators and close them at night?

Thanks for the responses. You've convinced me. I'll go with 1/2".

thomas rubino wrote:Hi Arron;
Could you open the sides/ top of the growing areas during the day to allow free access for pollinators and close them at night?

Good suggestion. I'll put in a little door at the top of the A-frame to allow pollinator access.