Lightweight chicken proof wall?

Our chickens are in a converted horse stall (hardware clothed in to keep em in place) in a barn. I plan to free range em starting soon so I want to let them out of their coop and have a chicken door they can go out into the yard thru. The only thing is, I need to close off a section so that when I do this they don't run all over the barn crapping all over everything (in the other areas, I have my tools, workbench etc). I've got some of that fenced in but I still have a 12 ft gap I need to close off (but still allow easy access to). Anyone built any kind of lightweight 'fence' that can be used to temporarily close off a section? Looking for some different ideas and suggestions on things that might have worked for ya, thanks!

Are you talking about a fence or something with a door? Chicken wire is not great to stop larger predators but it will keep chickens in or out and is light weight as well as inexpensive. I don’t know what that 12’ gap looks like so I don’t know how heavy your framing has to be, but not much to stop chickens. Hog rings or J-clips are pretty easy ways to join two runs of chicken wire together.

Eggstravert said:

Our chickens are in a converted horse stall (hardware clothed in to keep em in place) in a barn. I plan to free range em starting soon so I want to let them out of their coop and have a chicken door they can go out into the yard thru. The only thing is, I need to close off a section so that when I do this they don't run all over the barn crapping all over everything (in the other areas, I have my tools, workbench etc). I've got some of that fenced in but I still have a 12 ft gap I need to close off (but still allow easy access to). Anyone built any kind of lightweight 'fence' that can be used to temporarily close off a section? Looking for some different ideas and suggestions on things that might have worked for ya, thanks!

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I just use ---used chain-link dog kennel panels----easy to set-up in about any applications. Most all the ones I buy are around $100, that's $25 for 6ft tall x 10ft wide, strong chain link wiring----then I can resale them if I decide to quit and get all my money back!

Ridgerunner said:

Are you talking about a fence or something with a door? Chicken wire is not great to stop larger predators but it will keep chickens in or out and is light weight as well as inexpensive. I don’t know what that 12’ gap looks like so I don’t know how heavy your framing has to be, but not much to stop chickens. Hog rings or J-clips are pretty easy ways to join two runs of chicken wire together.

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Sure.

Just a fence I can easily pull either down or across, doesn't need to protect against predators as the barn already does that, it's mainly a 'deflector shield' to keep them in their area. The gap is roughly 12 ft wide x about 8 ft high, wide open. I was sorta thinking of a 'shower curtain' idea made of lightweight chicken wire and maybe ?? Just needs to be something I can pull across and also easily enter thru as needed (I'm thinking a simple ring/hook thing would more than suffice)

For something like that I’d look at deer netting or bird netting. Put it on a rod at the top so you can slide it (fairly short section so you can support it) and maybe hang a chain along the bottom to keep them from walking right through it and pushing it out of their way. They will probably learn to push against it and get out if the can, like dogs or cats do a pet door, so it needs to be relatively firm.

Another thought, use chicken wire and put a 2x4 across the bottom for weight. Have it long enough that it can bump against a “sill” at the bottom an offset it enough so gravity holds it tightly against that sill. I don’t know if I explained that well but you should be able to push it out of your way.

To be honest, I it were me I’d build a screen door for me to walk through. The rest can be netting or chicken wire. I think a real (though flimsy and cheap) door will be a lot more convenient for you.

I'd use a piece of 6' high 14ga 2x4 welded wire......it pretty much stands on it's own if placed in a curve.
Leave some wire sticking out at the sides to connect to screw eyes.

Aart, the way I read this they want to be able to walk through it yet keep chickens contained. Predators not yet an issue. I can see something similar to a curtain, but keeping the ends and bottom sealed could be a challenge. Temporary things have a way of becoming permanent, that’s why I’d go with a light-weight wall and a screen door. It doesn’t take much to keep chickens in, but they can fit through some tight spaces.

Eggstravert said:

Anyone built any kind of lightweight 'fence' that can be used to temporarily close off a section?

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A piece of welded wire or fence panel is what I use for a my run and door held together with these makes it easy to move and adjust.

Ridgerunner said:

Aart, the way I read this they want to be able to walk through it yet keep chickens contained. Predators not yet an issue. I can see something similar to a curtain, but keeping the ends and bottom sealed could be a challenge. Temporary things have a way of becoming permanent, that’s why I’d go with a light-weight wall and a screen door. It doesn’t take much to keep chickens in, but they can fit through some tight spaces.

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Depends on how flat the floor is, I assume barn floor is flat-but maybe not....creative attachments at both ends should get the job done.

We used chicken wire and 2x4 to divide a section off. there 5 screws that hold it in place and it fits out the door. Cause I wasn't planning the divide forever.


Scott