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[merlotti]

Hi,

 

I've read the many, many threads re. WIRs, but can't seem to find all the basic info in one place, nad keep forgetting what I've already read. Please can you help?

 

I'd like to build my own WIR, but:

 

1 - What type of wood do I use? Hard / soft?

 

2 - What size wood for the frames? 1x2 inch? Too small?

 

3 - What do I treat the wood with?

 

4 - What grade weldmesh? I need it to be foxproof so don't htink 19 gauge will be enough?

 

5 - Can I just staple gun the mesh to the frames?

 

Can you tell I'm still learning?! Would really appreciate all the answers in one place!

Thanks in advance - I'd better get cracking, they arrive on the 16th Oct!

 

Merlotti x

[Omletina Kyckling]

OK, I can tell you what specification mine is

Hi,

 

I've read the many, many threads re. WIRs, but can't seem to find all the basic info in one place, nad keep forgetting what I've already read. Please can you help?

 

I'd like to build my own WIR, but:

 

1 - What type of wood do I use? Hard / soft? not sure

 

2 - What size wood for the frames? 1x2 inch? Too small? mine is 2x2

 

3 - What do I treat the wood with? the wood came pressure treated, I then painted it with Cuprinol Garden Colours

 

4 - What grade weldmesh? I need it to be foxproof so don't htink 19 gauge will be enough? mine is 19 gauge, which I think many are made from.

 

5 - Can I just staple gun the mesh to the frames? my mesh is stapled onto the frame

 

Can you tell I'm still learning?! Would really appreciate all the answers in one place!

Thanks in advance - I'd better get cracking, they arrive on the 16th Oct!

 

Merlotti x

 

I'd also recommend having your door opening inwards as it makes it easier to get in and out without the hoardes escaping!! Hope this helps

[merlotti]

Thanks Omletina - you're a star! *

 

Anyone else like to chip in?

 

Thanks, Merlotti

[Plum]

Hi,

 

I've read the many, many threads re. WIRs, but can't seem to find all the basic info in one place, nad keep forgetting what I've already read. Please can you help?

 

I'd like to build my own WIR, but:

 

1 - What type of wood do I use? Hard / soft? use pressure treated wood so it doesn't rot

 

2 - What size wood for the frames? 1x2 inch? Too small? Mine is 2x2 but 1x2 would be ok for the cross bits

 

3 - What do I treat the wood with? If pressure treated it doesn't need treating. If not just check it is ok for animals. I used Cuprinol even though it was treated to add colour. It said on the tin it's safe

 

4 - What grade weldmesh? I need it to be foxproof so don't htink 19 gauge will be enough? Mine is 16g wire which is fox proof but needed to be screwed on the frame. 19g is a bit lighter but still said to be fox proof and you can staple gun it on fine. Most people seem to go for 19g.

 

5 - Can I just staple gun the mesh to the frames?

 

Can you tell I'm still learning?! Would really appreciate all the answers in one place!

Thanks in advance - I'd better get cracking, they arrive on the 16th Oct!

 

Merlotti x

 

I've got 9" kickboards around the bottom to keep the flooring material in the run.

Like Ometina the door opens inward which is a real boon for stopping escapees.

A roof keeps things dry. Mine sits on top on a wood frame and is made of corrugated plastic with a slight slope - couple of inches front to back with mini profile guttering at the back.

 

The run is also screwed into the concrete in case of the odd hurricane but they are so sheltered that the windvane doesn't move

 

Don't forget to post pictures as you go along and don't be afraid to ask more questions .

[merlotti]

Thanks Plum - yes, I'd thought of screwing the bottom of the frames into the sleepers around the edge, so that will stop burrowing foxes, stop escaping flooring and keep it sturdy - that's the plan anyway!

 

Where can I get the weldmesh?

 

Thanks all - keep posting!

 

Merlotti

[Plum]

Mine came with run I cheated and got it ready made but I believe Hills of Devon is most reasonable and quick delivery

 

http://www.hillsofdevon.co.uk/

[sjp]

hills of devon is were a lot of us have got mesh from I used the 1.6 mm with I think is 16g the smaller the gauge number the thicker the wire used for the mesh

http://www.hillsofdevon.co.uk/aviary-mesh.html

[merlotti]

Thanks all - what sized holes should I go for?!

 

(Really sorry for ALL the questions!)

[Plum]

Mine is 1x1. Guess it depends what you are trying to keep out.

[merlotti]

Ok everyone - thought I'd give you an update!

 

Bought : 1x2 pretreated wood

heavy duty staple gun

staples

screws

1.6mm (16 gauge) mesh from Hills of Devon - delivered tomorrow

 

Made: all frames and doors!

 

Now awaiting mesh so i can staple it to frames, then screw frames together, then put struts over the roog and mesh that too, before covering with wiggly plastic! 2doors, both opening inwards, one to the little herb garden at the back! If the hens don't get to it first!

 

Also, many thanks to MummyHen, from whom i received a lovely green Eglu this morning!

 

http://twitpic.com/2ufbhr

 

Now all i need is chickens!

 

Thanks for all your help guys!

 

Merlotti x

[Plum]

Wow I feel really tired reading that, you don't hang about. It looks good and so does eglu. Perhaps the stapling will slow you down. Lucky chickens they're going to have a good home.

[merlotti]

Hurrah - mesh has arrived.

 

Now, shall I staple it to the chicken or the fox side? Inside or out of the run? I see most people ahve gone for the inside, but surely that means Mr Fox has more chance of pushing against it? Or maybe, if it's on the outiside, he has more chance of getting a paw behind an edge?

 

Thoughts please!

 

Merlotti x

[MummyHen]

Hannah

 

Nice to have met you on Sunday

Staple from the inside - mines on the inside. If the staples don't go in flush use a small hammer to give them a tap.

If you use enough staples and and they are fixed in well - Mr Fox shouldn't be able to get in.

[merlotti]

And you Rachel, and thanks for advice on run!

 

Now, am going to attempt to embed a photo - let's see how it goes!

 

 

Merl

[Christian]

Looking good!

[merlotti]

Thanks everyone for your ideas - jsut need a roof now. Am going t put domed mesh on top, then i can cover with a shower curtain, or such like!

 

 

Merlotti x