Outdoor raised with open mesh bottom

[cindy]

I would use caution with that, the spaces are still wide enough for an nimal to get it's paws though, rats and mice can get in easily...it is meant for indoor use, it will rust. I would stick to vinayl coated mesh or galvanized mesh. Think of a racoon with "hands" that are slender and fingers that can grip. You want to prevent them from reaching in and grabbing a little bird and pulling it through. Two layers of mesh about a foot apart will allow the soil to fall through and prevent the animals from grabbing your birds and making a meal of them.

[miulloj]

I would use caution with that, the spaces are still wide enough for an nimal to get it's paws though, rats and mice can get in easily...it is meant for indoor use, it will rust. I would stick to vinayl coated mesh or galvanized mesh. Think of a racoon with "hands" that are slender and fingers that can grip. You want to prevent them from reaching in and grabbing a little bird and pulling it through. Two layers of mesh about a foot apart will allow the soil to fall through and prevent the animals from grabbing your birds and making a meal of them.

Oh yeah, UR right (indoor use), rust ... rust never sleeps.

[wellingtoncdm]

http://www.shopmania.com/garden-outdoor ... et-9085501

This is best.

[miulloj]

Wait! this might work! I have to find out how closely it is meshed tough.

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?par ... &cId=PDIO1

With plastic wire zips (snipped to the quick) to bind the flat edges together. What do you all think? Make it 32x72 and just use plastic coated mesh for the ends and bottom. Since the product is so rigid I might be able to use less wood framing too. If this works, I think I could pretty readily fabricate slide up doors by tin snipping the wires similar to production cages.

For some dumb reason I was thinking this was plastic coated <WRONG>

[miulloj]

http://www.shopmania.com/garden-outdoor ... et-9085501

This is best.

Shouldn't it be PVC/plastic coated? If no need, how is it holding up rust wise on your outdoor setup? Please post a pic!

[cindy]

Most galvanized mesh is coated with zinc (one of the reasons when using this for cages, especially hookbills they tell you to wash it down in a vinegar and water solutons). The zinc is to protect it, if the coating is damaged and water gets to the steel it will rust. Plastic or vinyl coated would be the best bet in order to protect the wire and make it last longer.

Another option is to use galvanized mesh and paint it a color like black or silver with a non toxic metal spray or roll on paint to protect the steel mesh.