Hardware Cloth vs Chicken Wire: Which Should You Use?

The short difference

The two products look alike from a distance, but they are built for different jobs. Hardware cloth is a rigid, welded grid of steel wire with square openings. Chicken wire, also called poultry netting, is a twisted, hexagonal mesh made from thin wire that bends easily.

That difference in build decides everything else. Welded square mesh holds its shape when something pulls or pushes on it. Twisted hex netting can be bent, peeled back or chewed through by animals that are determined to get at a coop.

Chicken wire got its name because it keeps chickens from wandering off. It was never meant to keep hungry predators out, and that is where many coop owners get caught out.

Hardware cloth vs chicken wire for a coop

For a coop, hardware cloth is the right choice. Predators such as raccoons can reach through large openings, and small animals can squeeze through them. Rats and weasels can slip through larger holes, and weasels in particular can fit through surprisingly small gaps.

Our hardware cloth comparison for chicken coops lists rolls that all have a 0.5 in mesh opening. That size is the one that blocks rats and weasels, and it also keeps out snakes that can pass through the wider openings of poultry netting.

Raccoons are a separate problem. They have clever hands and can tug at weak wire. Thicker, welded wire resists that kind of pulling far better than twisted netting, and a solid fastening method matters as much as the mesh itself.

• Use hardware cloth on all windows, vents and ground-level walls.
• Cover the run roof, not just the sides, if flying or climbing predators are a concern.
• Bury or extend an apron of mesh outward along the ground so diggers cannot tunnel in.
• Fasten the edges with screws and washers, not just staples, since staples can be pulled out.

Reading the specs that matter

When you compare hardware cloth rolls, three specs do most of the work. Mesh opening is the size of each square, and smaller openings block smaller animals. Gauge is wire thickness, and it runs backward: a lower number means thicker wire.

Every roll on our comparison page that lists a gauge is 19 ga, so gauge will not separate those products. If a maker leaves the gauge out, as HANWRAPS does, you cannot judge how well that wire resists bending or chewing.

Coating decides how long the mesh lasts outdoors. Galvanizing after welding puts zinc on the joints too, and rust tends to start at joints and cut ends. Several rolls here are hot-dip galvanized after welding. The 24 in by 100 ft roll adds a PVC layer over galvanized steel, which gives a black finish and extra rust resistance.

Hardware cloth vs chicken wire for the garden

In the garden, the choice depends on the pest. Chicken wire is fine for jobs where you only need to discourage larger animals, such as a loose cover over seedlings or a simple fence around a bed. It is easy to shape around odd corners and tomato cages.

Hardware cloth is better for raised beds with rodent trouble, tree guards, and barriers below ground. Gophers and voles are diggers and chewers, and flexible thin netting gives them little to think about. A rigid mesh under a raised bed floor is a common way to keep tunnelers from coming up from below.

Some of the rolls on our page list garden uses in their descriptions, including raised planter boxes, tree guards and gutter guards. The 48 in wide rolls are handy for bed walls, while a narrow roll such as the 12 in by 10 ft one suits small patches.

When chicken wire still makes sense

Chicken wire is not useless. It is lighter and more flexible, which makes it easy to work with. If predators are not a concern, it can do the job.

Good uses include temporary fencing, a daytime pen in a secure yard, covers over plants, and craft or decorative projects. It can also shape a form for papier-mache or a trellis.

The trouble starts when it becomes the only barrier between birds and a predator. If you already have chicken wire on a coop, you do not have to tear it all out. Layer hardware cloth over the openings that matter most and leave the chicken wire for lighter duty.

Installing hardware cloth safely

Cut ends of welded mesh are sharp. Wear leather gloves and eye protection when you cut, bend or fasten it, because small wire ends can fly. Use wire cutters or tin snips, and file down rough edges before you hang the mesh where people or animals will brush against it.

If you work on a roof or a tall run, use a stable ladder and have someone steady it. Heavy rolls are awkward to carry, so unroll them on the ground and cut to length first. Roll weight varies by product. The PVC-coated 24 in by 100 ft roll weighs 24.91 lb, and the lightest listed roll weighs 8.55 lb.

If you drill or use power tools near the coop, check for buried or hidden electrical wiring before you start, and use hearing protection with loud saws or drills.

• Measure wall height, run length, roof area and the buried apron before you buy.
• Unroll and flatten the mesh in the sun for a few minutes so it lies flat.
• Overlap seams and fasten them every few inches.
• Check the seams and corners from time to time, since those are the spots a predator will test.

How to decide

Start with what you are protecting. If animals that hunt or dig are around, choose hardware cloth with 0.5 in mesh. If you only need a light barrier, chicken wire can be enough.

Then choose a size. Rolls on our comparison page run from 10 ft to 100 ft long and 12 in to 72 in wide. A 48 in by 80 ft roll covers 320 sq ft, and a 48 in by 100 ft roll covers 400 sq ft, which is enough for walls and the roof of many runs. A longer roll means fewer seams, and every seam is a place to check.

If you are comparing specific products, the best hardware cloth for chicken coop page puts mesh opening, gauge, coating and roll size side by side so you can match a roll to your coop.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use chicken wire on the outside and hardware cloth on the inside?

You can, but there is little benefit. Put the hardware cloth where the predator would reach it, and fasten it firmly. Two layers will not help if the inner one is poorly attached.

Does hardware cloth rust?

Galvanized steel resists rust, but cut ends and damaged spots can still corrode over time. Mesh that is galvanized after welding coats the joints as well, which is where rust often starts.

Will hardware cloth hurt my chickens?

Smooth, well-fastened mesh is safe for birds. Trim and fold back sharp cut ends, and keep edges tucked so birds cannot catch a foot or wing on them.

Is welded wire the same as hardware cloth?

Not always. Both are welded, but welded wire fencing often has larger openings. For small predators, check that the opening is 0.5 in.