Best Fencing?

[LambsBYChicks]

I would like to get some suggestions on what others consider the best fencing for chicken funds. . I am leaning towards chain link right now? What are others thoughts on type of fencing, how high, etc. My chickens will mostly be confined to a run. I would be nervous letting them free range on our lot while we were away at work all day. We have a lot of wildlife in our area. I have only seen deer, raccoons, and opossums. I have definitely heard of people mentioning coyotes and foxes, but I still have yet to see one or hear one. We also have a lot of hawks.

 

[Cyprus]

Do not use chain link. Not only will it be absolute useless in stopping a determined predator, but raccoons can pull heads through chicken wire. Can and will.

Hardware cloth is a really good investment. Especially 1/2" or less. It keeps minks out, which can wreak havoc on an entire flock in seconds. It's best paired with another type of fencing, one that can keep larger predators like foxes out. Woven wire, with small openings would be a good choice.
There are several options for fencing. Other members can give better opinions.
It's best to dig whatever fencing you use at least 6" under ground and outward to deter digging.

For hawks, you could either build a roof of fencing over your run, or run some deer netting/fishing wire over the top.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I think chain link is fine if reinforced with something with small openings like hardware cloth or similar size welded wire. Otherwise rats, weasels, etc can all get in easily, or birds can be torn apart through the openings.

A roof is most secure against predators (and weatherproof) but if it's specifically hawks you're concerned about, a heavy duty netting should work fine. If snow is an issue you'll want to pick something with fairly large openings so the snow can fall through cleanly.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Agree with Cyprus, chain link gaps are too "big" unless you reinforce with hardware cloth as rosemarythyme recommended. Burying the wire around the perimeter and roofing is a big plus. Welded wire (1/2" x 1") is strong but think it's pricey, if money was no object, I'd use it. We don't have a predator issue here (HI) so I used chicken wire, my yard is fenced & my girls are confined to their "enclosure" cause the neighbor has dogs (7).

 

[Percheron chick]

I have chain link chicken runs. My main predator is coyote. Has kept them safe for years. It does need to be covered with a smaller opening wire on the lower 2 feet for young chicks as they can run through it if you have grow out pens.

 

[Joeschooks]

I have 2” welded wire mesh which is similar size to chain link, mounted on 4’6” wooden posts with 4 strands of electric polyrope around the outside. The wire fence is earthed and it’s very effective!! I agree with the others that it’s a good idea to put some half inch hardware cloth around the bottom edge to stop weasels etc. We don’t have so many critters here in UK so I’ve not done that myself.

 

[Birdinhand]

1/2" hardware cloth has become the gold standard. so many folks assume they only have one kind of predator or another and design just for those parameters only to find later that they have lots of other critters that come by under the cover of night. 1/2" HWC keeps out everything down to rats, you have your basis covered. I would frame out the run with 4x4 posts at 46" centers, use fencing nails/U-nails and overlap the seams of 48" HWC. I'd go down at least 2' with it, mend the underground portion with zip ties. build the eaves with a good 12" overhang to keep water away from the hardware cloth in the ground. making the investment and doing the hard work up front will save you a lot of aggravation down the line.

 

[Cindy in PA]

Chain link panels are great, as you can move them around over time if you want to reconfigure your run. You can use hardware cloth on the bottom & for an apron if you want to be super secure. I presently use kennel panels & 2 by 4 welded wire with no HW cloth. In the past I have used all kinds of fencing with T posts including plastic garden fencing for a few years. Only had one fatality over 25 years when I was leaving the coop door open all night (not when I had the kennel panels). A fox got one early one morning & yes I realize tomorrow something else could get them! I would never have gotten chickens if I had to build a huge fortified run back years ago. Finances would have been insufficient. I settled for a secure large night time coop. For the last 3 years I have had an automatic coop door, which makes them secure when I am away for a few days. Previously they were left open when I was away. It all depends on your tolerance for possible losses IMHO. It's a trade off. My girls cannot free range & have a 400 square foot run with netting on the top. YMMV