Wire Mesh for Animal Enclosures & Predator-Proofing
Quick answer
For predator-proof poultry and small-animal enclosures, use galvanised welded hardware cloth with a 13mm (½in) or smaller aperture and around 19–16 gauge wire; chicken wire (hexagonal netting) only contains birds and will not stop foxes, rats or raccoons.
By the WireMeshQA editorial team · Independent wire mesh reference
Hardware Cloth vs Chicken Wire
The single most common mistake is using hexagonal chicken wire for protection. It keeps poultry in but predators easily tear, bite or reach through it. Welded hardware cloth — a rigid welded mesh, typically galvanised — is the correct choice wherever predators are a risk. Use the smaller aperture on the lower section and any area a predator can reach.
Figure 1: Welded Mesh vs Hexagonal Netting for this application (indicative).
Figure summary: For animal enclosures, welded mesh is stronger and more predator-resistant for kennels, runs and aviaries, while hexagonal netting is lighter and cheaper for poultry and garden use. Choose welded where security and durability matter, netting for light, low-cost containment.
Mesh type
Contains animals
Stops predators
Best use
Hexagonal chicken wire
Yes
No
Internal dividers, run roofs
Welded hardware cloth
Yes
Yes
Walls, base aprons, vulnerable zones
Heavy welded panel
Yes
Yes
Kennels, large runs
Aperture vs Animal & Predator
Aperture must be small enough that the target predator cannot reach through or squeeze in. Rats and weasels are the hardest to exclude. The reference below uses common imperial mesh sizes still standard for hardware cloth. See mesh count to opening size if you need to convert.
Animal / threat
Recommended max aperture
Notes
Chickens (containment)
25mm (1in)
Larger is fine if no predators
Foxes / dogs / cats
25mm (1in)
Use welded, not hexagonal
Rats
13mm (½in)
12.5mm hardware cloth standard
Mice / weasels / snakes
6mm (¼in)
¼in hardware cloth
Aviary small birds
13mm (½in) or finer
Prevents escape and rodent entry
Recommended Gauge by Enclosure
Heavier wire resists chewing and clawing. Rabbits, rodents and determined predators warrant thicker gauge, especially on the base and lower walls.
Enclosure
Aperture
Typical gauge
Coating
Chicken run / coop
13mm (½in)
19–16 gauge
Galvanised
Aviary
13mm (½in)
19 gauge
Galvanised / PVC
Rabbit hutch
13mm (½in)
16 gauge
Galvanised / PVC
Kennel / dog run
25–50mm
12–8 SWG
Galvanised
Predator-Proofing Best Practice
Bury a mesh skirt or 'apron' 30cm down and 30cm outward to stop digging predators.
Use welded hardware cloth, not staples through soft hexagonal wire, at all reachable heights.
Cover runs fully — birds of prey and climbing predators attack from above.
Fix mesh with washers or battens so predators cannot pull staples out.
Use galvanised-after-welding mesh for the longest outdoor life; PVC coating is gentler on birds.
Material & Coating Choice
Galvanised steel is the standard for cost and strength. PVC-coated mesh is softer on birds' feet and beaks and resists corrosion from droppings. In very damp or coastal conditions, stainless steel mesh lasts longest — compare options in our galvanised vs stainless guide.
Frequently asked questions
What gauge wire is best for a chicken run?
Use welded hardware cloth around 19 to 16 gauge with a 13mm (½in) aperture for a predator-resistant chicken run. The heavier 16 gauge better resists clawing and chewing on lower walls and the buried apron. Avoid thin hexagonal chicken wire for any surface a fox, dog or raccoon can reach.
What mesh size stops rats getting into a coop?
Rats can squeeze through gaps larger than about 13mm, so use 13mm (½in) galvanised hardware cloth as the maximum aperture, and ¼in (6mm) if mice are also a problem. Cover all walls, the base and any vents, and bury an apron to stop rodents digging underneath.
Is chicken wire strong enough to keep foxes out?
No. Standard hexagonal chicken wire only contains birds; foxes can bite through it, tear it from staples or reach through the large holes. For fox protection use welded hardware cloth with a 25mm or smaller aperture, fix it securely with battens or washers, and add a buried apron against digging.
What mesh do I need for an aviary?
For an aviary use galvanised or PVC-coated welded mesh with a 13mm (½in) or finer aperture and around 19 gauge wire. The small aperture prevents small birds escaping and keeps rodents and wild birds out. PVC coating is gentler on feet and beaks and resists corrosion from droppings.
How deep should I bury mesh to stop digging predators?
Bury a mesh skirt about 30cm (12in) deep, or lay an L-shaped apron 30cm out from the base just below the surface. Digging predators hit the buried mesh and give up. Use the same welded hardware cloth as the walls so the apron resists clawing and chewing.
Need to define the specification?
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