Is chicken wire safe?

[Captain CavyMan]

We just adopted our piggys and put them in their brand new home! My husband labored for a day constructing the coolest cage for them. A "bonus" in our cube pack was a set of bookends. It would make a great hay feeder if we could put something like chicken wire in front of it to hold the hay in better. Is chicken wire safe for them? I've searched a number of threads and have been unable to ascertain if it is safe for the pigs to have direct contact, even nibble around, chicken wire.

I need to know soon. Lenny and Squiggy are eating their hay out of a large plastic tub that is blocking part of their race track.

[fairysari]

Hardware cloth might be a better option. I think the holes in chicken wire might be too pig so a pig could get his head stuck. Hardware cloth is like chicken wire, but with much smaller holes.

[smartorl]

Maybe a closetmaid product. I agree that chicken wire can be a problem. Piggies are strong and I have seen chickens who "stretch" the holes to try and get their heads through. I am afraid if you use the wire, you may have a tragic event somewhere down the road. Closetmaid makes a lot of different shelves that work really well for all different types of applications.

[jdomans]

Many people bend grids for hay racks. I use the very large suet holders for feeding wild birds. Take a look through the gallery and see what we all use.

Chicken wire has holes that are just the right size for danger.

[Captain CavyMan]

Thank you for your feedback. I won't let my husband use the chicken wire. He had it around from a previous project; it was handy and the right size. But I think, especially after reading these replies, that it would pose too great a hazard.

I love the suet feeder idea! I believe I could "borrow" one of my parents 1000's they have hanging around their backyard.

[muffin]

Make sure you wash it really well! Also, just for info, I think some types of chicken wire are coated in zinc or other metals to galvanise them, and it's often powdery, and some types rust easily. Good luck, I've found from this site that you're best off with a hay feeder that your piggy can't get into in any way, lots have gotten their head stuck in them, and mine will always try to climb into theirs, even when there is loads of hay on the floor too!

[superstar]

It should be okay, since it is a really soft metal. Just make sure to clean it first and tape over any snagged edges.

[WindeSpirit]

I see that you've decided not to use the chicken wire but for any other future references from one who did put it on their condo before knowing, I'll still add my input.
Also know that I am in NO WAY condoning the use of chicken wire.

The Chicken wire is safer for adult pigs over a 2lb aprox. weight if used with other precautions. Such as, ends need to be "consealed", not taped or something draped over them, a wood "trim" can be stapled to conseal them securely and to further, in the cage design process, to have the coroplast run up the side where the "trim" is.
This wire also is not a good option for cutting holes in, to connect cages, etc.. and able to safely conseal the new edges made.

Again, I don't condone the use of the wire, but if someone is determined to use it, please make it as safe as possible.

[sophistic_chick]

I'm currently using a facial tissue box for a hay "rack". Bo, my piggie seems to like the hay and the box. It's super cheap.