wire bottoms?

[kansasquail]

i have a couple 1/2 inch wire bottom pens an i wanted to know how old should my bobwhites be before i put them in the pens? also for flight pens should i use chicken wire or should i use netting for the top? would it matter if i use chicken wire for the sides and mesh for the top? and just one more Q to my list Does anyone know a website to get cheap mesh or chicken wire?

[CharlieHorse]

Bobs can be put directly on 1/2" wire at 7 days............but they still need plenty of heat and no drafts!  They should be kept in a brooder type atmosphere for 5-6 weeks depending on climate.

 My pens are entirely 1" chicken wire (sides and top). My "cheap" chicken wire completely rusted and became very weak within 2 years. If I had it to do over again (which it looks like I'm going to get the chance), I'd invest in a better quality wire.  If I had netting on the top, I'd guess that the unwelcome guest (coon) that I've had the past couple of nights would have made his way through it. By the way.......a coon can kill and eat birds through 1" chicken wire and never damage the wire!

[kansasquail]

i dont have to worry about coons to much, i've trapped most of them in our area. thanks for the info!