Free range yard and cattle panel.

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Marco and Mary

Marco and Mary

In the Brooder
Jan 8, 2016
11
2
24
Wellandport Ontario, Niagara region
Hi there ... We are new to chickens and want to contain our future chickens to a 1/4 acre free range chicken yard. Is using 50" cattle panel a bad idea for containing the birds? I need to move the free range yard annually so the modular cattle panels are attractive to me. Do you think the birds will fly over the fencing? What is the consensus? Thanks in advance.
 
Thanks ... I was hoping the cattle panel would work. I read once that people clip wings to discourage fence jumping ... What are people's thoughts on that. We really want free range chickens ... But also want to keep them out of the sprayed cash crop fields and vegetable garden near by.
 
It helps to pick breeds that don't tend to travel far, and in general bigger birds, when grown up, won't fly as high. Check out Premier's electrified poultry fencing too. You will still need a safe coop and run for times when they can't free range, and also they won't want to play in the snow. Mary
 
You can probably engineer your own panels if you really had the desire. I would think that you could use a metal or wood frame with hardware mesh. The birds could easily get through most cattle panel that I have seen. My fences are 6ft tall and they cannot fly over them. Like the PP mentioned, they do not like to leave the area they are familiar with, either. The biggest concern is protecting them from predators.
 
Following! We are in the process of setting up for free range. I ordered crow decoys today to ward off hawks.
 
Ohhh no! Well great I already ordered them. I do realize you have to move them around. There is a pair of ravens in this area recently, so I haven't seen a hawk in a couple months now. We also have bird dogs who do a great job of guarding.
 
Last edited:
Marco and Mary said:
Hi there ... We are new to chickens and want to contain our future chickens to a 1/4 acre free range chicken yard. Is using 50" cattle panel a bad idea for containing the birds? I need to move the free range yard annually so the modular cattle panels are attractive to me. Do you think the birds will fly over the fencing? What is the consensus? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...


chicklover 1998 said:
a touch over 4 feet you can bet they'll be hopping that like a rabbit hops over a stick.
Click to expand...


Marco and Mary said:
Thanks ... I was hoping the cattle panel would work. I read once that people clip wings to discourage fence jumping ... What are people's thoughts on that. We really want free range chickens ... But also want to keep them out of the sprayed cash crop fields and vegetable garden near by.
Click to expand...
that is what currently is used for my chicken yard. the only problem we ever had, was in the beginning, them going through the fence. once I lined the bottom 24" with chicken wire, the only time they get out has been when the gate is left open. Your experience may be different.

can they jump it? sure.

they can certainly jump the 24" to get to a hole in the cattle panel big enough for them to fit thru.....ours don't tho.

they have plenty of grass, and leafy plants in there, as well as their feed and water.......
 
Thought: We have a roll of 4 foot snow fence lying around. They don't fly over, it's 4 foot. Cheep, Cheep. Of course you'll need a good dog or two to stay with them 24/7.
I decided to purchase the electric/solar panels as there are foxes, skunks and coyotes in our area. I was hoping to find something less costly but I don't think it can be avoided.
 

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