Chain linked kennel

[peggyswink]

What is everyones thoughts on using chain linked fence? It seems easier to put up, but will it keep predators out. Im looking at one at home depot or lowes. Trying to get our chicken run figured out but fencing ideas keep getting me down.

 

[sunflour]

Chain link alone is not enough. Raccoon, dogs, fox, possum, can easily climb those. Obviously hawks & owls can fly in. All canines can dig under and raccoons can reach thru the chain. Snakes would be an issue for your eggs and if you have baby chicks.

If you were to use the chain link fence, you'll need to add a cover and add smaller wire attached to the fence. And add perimeter anti-dig protection.

I have seen roll bar tops for chain link fence to deter the climbers.

Someone I know had a fairly predator proof chain link fence but failed to notice some digging and lost his entire assortment of poultry in a weekend.

IMO the only predator proof run is one with a solid roof, hardware cloth walls and hardware cloth buried around the perimeter with heavy stones on top of the perimeter wire. Some folks place hardware cloth on the flooring of the run attached to the surrounding foundation in lieu of the surround.

I know this is not the answer you hoped for.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I have a chain link run right now and I am liking it so far.
I used salvaged chain link from the fence section I took down in order to put up a privacy fence due to a nosy neighbor.
You will need to put a lid on it, and a skirt for sure.
I think if I were buying all new materials I would not use it since it is expensive and other effective wire can be found for less.
Hardware cloth is very expensive and comes in limited sizes. 2x4 welded wire is cheaper and comes in more heights but it is wavy when installed and offers no more protection than the chain link.
I think the decision is all yours.
I do like that the chain link was much easier to install.



It may be hard to see in the picture but I have chicken wire over the top. I used salvaged top rail from the fencing I took down for the top and I have a 2x12 frame on the bottom. I nailed it to the wood with huge fence staples like these.
http://www.homedepot.com/s/fence+staples?NCNI-5

Everyone has their own preference and most like the hardware cloth. I find it to be out of my budget. In the spring I am adding a hardware cloth skirt to the run. I did not get done with the coop in time this fall and the ground is now frozen.
A lot of what you need from a run depends on the predators in your area. YES everyone has predators of some kind roaming around.

For my area they are fox, hawk and raccoon primarily.

I hope this helped in some way.

Babs

 

[speedy2020]

I am using chain link fence with plastic security insert surround the coop in many years. It works out great. As others have mention, you still need cover to protect them from hawk and other predators.

 

[WNCcluck]

We chose not to go with chain link fencing precisely because of its lack of predator protection. We figured by the time we'd predator proofed the chain link that we'd have sunk more money into it than we did in the system we ended up with.

 

[speedy2020]

I got the chain link fence with security insert free so keep an eye on Craigslist and the neighbor.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Chain link must be lined with chicken wire or hardware cloth otherwise owls and hawks will pull them through the fence. I keep mine covered with shade cloth as well.

It will not be predator-proof like hardware cloth. You can cover it with hardware cloth if you are looking for a Fort Knox run. You need to apron out the cloth at the bottom to prevent diggers if you are going for predator-proof, and cover the top also with hardware cloth.

If you aren't looking for totally predator-proof, it is best to at least line it along the bottom, or the aerial predators may pull them through as they relax with their backs next to the fence.

 

[KittieChick]

We have chain link for the yard. The original section was given to us, and DH wouldn't go cheaper for the additional pen ( my dime, LoL) we use welded wire over the top for hawks. Haven't done the hardware cloth along the bottom just yet, no need but it's on the plan for spring. I also have on my list a solar powered fencer which should handily deter any land based predators if we get them. I have a fenced yard and a bunch of dogs running around so that helps.

Any additional pens or runs will be welded wire, I think. But I'm very happy with the chain link.

 

[georgiagail]

We use chain link dog runs (from Lowes). Six feet high. We run 36" hardware cloth along the bottom edge. The top is a combination of PVC pipe and hardware cloth attached to this with zip ties.
We like the dog runs from Lowes because they can be set up as either a 10 x 10 run or a 5 x 15. Not too hard to put together but it takes longer that their "recommended" 45 minutes.

Our first one where we got fancy on the roof



How we've done the others...



Gail

 

[blucoondawg]

You have to ask yourself what are you looking for as far as security in your run. Unless you build a complete enclosure of hardware cloth on all sides and the top it will not be completely predator proof. That said chain link does make for a very strong fence to build a run. I have my entire yard fenced with 5 and a half foot of chain link with a chicken run attached to the yard made of chain link dog kennel sections, I have a netting over the top to keep hawks out. I can let the chickens out to free range in the yard which isn't covered it's far too large. I didn't bother with hardware cloth on the bottom, I have the kennel sections setting on railroad ties which are dug in, while it is true that a racoon could reach in I am not concerned about that as we don't really have them around much, my main predator is dogs and coyote and fox which the fence does a fine job of keeping out. However I do close my coop at night which is the most dangerous time, if you are leaving the coop door open overnight you will need to go with complete hardware cloth to keep weasels and other small predators out and minimum of a good quality knotted aviary netting securely fastened on top to deter climbers and birds of prey