The coyotes are back

[centrarchid]

This is a poultry site. Fencing as described not for poultry in.

 

[shortgrass]

Lol well probably because that's what I was originally talking about, a fence line for CATTLE and SHEEP that had a box on it that made noise for coyotes. The fence I was talking about was not for chickens, see?

And lol, my chicken run has an electric fence on it, at 5', above the fence. I know they work or I wouldn't have them

6 inches sounded more like a tripping hazard to me, so please do excuse my huge ignorance in asking why someone would put a fence at 6", I figured a chicken would hop right over it. Again, apologies for being what I asse you're saying is "argumentative". I was trying to envision something.

I thought the point was the clicking sound anyway, TBH I don't care where the fence is, it was the noise we were discussing.

I'll politely bow out now, no more " wifey" trying to be gabby

 

[Howard E]

On the 6" fence, yes chickens can easily hop over it. A good thing if they do manage to get out and want back in. In a panic, they will punch through it or hop over it.

There is a learning curve for them. Almost all of mine got their lesson by stepping on it. It was only a matter of time until they had one foot on the fence and one on the ground. Those were the one's I saw launch and they were still shook up and cackling 20 or 30 seconds later. After a couple shots of that, they don't go near it. They have no clue what an electric fence it but they know they don't want to get zapped like that again, so don't go near it.

Ironically, the bigger the fenced in area the less you can get away with in regards to a poultry fence. Keep a large enough area inside the fence and they will be content to stay put. Some will say it only takes one single wire to keep them in and varmints out. My fenced in area is only 75' x 75', so I am using 4 wires, but can still step over the fence anywhere (meaning no gates are needed).

The same exists with varmints on the outside. Most all of them tend to approach a pen with their nose close to the ground and once that wet nose touches a really hot fence, they head off to where they came from and pronto. If you have a big wide area, most varmints are still in stealthy sneak mode when they encounter the fence. They also have no clue what an electric fence is, but may even learn to associate chickens with the pain they encounter when approaching them. You can even short circuit the learning by placing something on the fence a predator might sniff or lick with his tongue. I could sell tickets to that.

As you begin to confine the birds down, their desire for what is on the other side may get the better of them and they will test it. If so, that may be a place for poultry netting. That seems to be the deterrent that stops all traffic (except for birds of prey who drop in from above).

 

[centrarchid]

With exception of poultry netting, fences for me at best leaky when chickens motivated to forage around them. Larger perimeters with ample forage and cover within helps. Fencing serves more to repell predators and make job for dogs easier.

 

[Flock Master64]

great advice everyone. Thank you.

 

[Curmudgeon]

Well folks it is late April in Harney County, Oregon. The coyotes have whelped their litters, and everyone is hungry. Make sure the fences are tight, hot fences working, change burned out light bulbs, and your favorite rifle is loaded. They know where your chickens are. Do you?