Another question...(I did warn y'all)

[Mr Doug]

Will my horse fencing be sufficient for run sides? Mesh is 2"x4", I know not to use it for chicks, but adult birds (or large chicks)? I'm looking at it, and I have a hard time picturing even my chicks now getting through it. Unimaginable how much money it would save me.

 

[SueT]

If it's too big, you can get some inexpensive smaller mesh to put around it or at least around the bottom. That's what I did.

 

[aart]

Will my horse fencing be sufficient for run sides? Mesh is 2"x4", I know not to use it for chicks, but adult birds (or large chicks)? I'm looking at it, and I have a hard time picturing even my chicks now getting through it. Unimaginable how much money it would save me.

Will keep chickens in but may not keep all predators out.

 

[Mr Doug]

See? That's why I ask all the questions. I was thinking one-sided. However, I live on 75 acres with hawks, eagles, caracaras (Mexican national bird) snakes, feral pigs, skunks, opossums, rats, and any other creature you can think of that would like a fresh chicken dinner. Aside from wrapping them in bubble wrap, not sure I can completely predator-proof anything. I'm planning to button the stall up pretty tight, so they should be relatively safe at night, but I'm thinking I will have to trust their instincts while they're out in the run. I'm surprised how many people just let their chickens run around freely here, by the roads, in their yards, etc.

 

[Toothpick]

It will work for keeping the chickens in. But as mentioned - may not work for keeping predators out. I personally think it’s very easy to overthink the predator situation. In 2 years only thing that has killed my hens are the neighbors dogs. I have a few that jump out and they became prey. My coop is open 24/7 and the 14x60 run is chicken wire and t-posts. Bobcats, foxes, hawks, coyote, stray cats, stray dogs, raccoon, opossum. I got it all roaming around.

When I first got chicks I was thinking “I gotta dig a trench and bury the fence. Then I gotta frame in a run with 2x4’s. Then I gotta put hardware cloth all over, sides and across the top. Then I gotta set up motion lights for at night. Then every night close the chicken door.”.

Then I wised up and thought “they are chickens that cost 2 bucks each. I can replace the flock 60x at the price it would cost to completely predator proof the coop and run”.

So far I’ve lost 4 to the neighbors dog, and one went broody and raised 3. Sort of replenishing themselves. It’s a hobby for me that is supposed to be enjoyable. Don’t overthink or stress yourself out with it.

 

[Mr Doug]

This was a great perspective. Thank you!