Hardware Cloth vs Chicken Wire
Chicken wire keeps chickens in. Hardware cloth keeps predators out, which is the job that actually protects your flock.
| Hardware cloth | Chicken wire | |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Welded wire grid | Twisted hexagonal wire |
| Predator protection | Strong, stops raccoons and rodents with small mesh | Weak, raccoons can tear it |
| Mesh size | Often 1/2 inch | Often 1 inch or larger |
| Cost | Higher | Low |
| Install | Stiffer to cut and shape | Easy |
| Best use | Windows, vents, runs, aprons | Garden fencing and daytime pens |
Choose Hardware cloth if
- You need predator protection
- You are covering vents and windows
- You are building an apron
Choose Chicken wire if
- You only need to keep chickens out of the garden
- The area is supervised in daytime
- Budget is very tight
The bottom line
Use hardware cloth anywhere a predator could reach chickens at night. Chicken wire is for fencing chickens in, not for keeping predators out.