My chickens currently have a decent sized run and we let them free range the property (2.5 acres) just before dusk so that they don't roam too far. I'd like to give them more space during the day, but when we tried free ranging they were all over the place and getting onto neighbors property. I was thinking that we could use 7 foot deer netting to cheaply section off a 1/4 acre area for them. The goal isn't to make it predator proof, just to keep (most of) the chickens inside that area. I have two good fliers who would probably still escape on a regular basis, but nothing stops them. All the others are heavy breeds and don't do much flying and I've never seen them clear 7 feet. The deer netting I can get cheaply and do that size area for about $60, however I need to come up with a post/pole system for it that won't break the bank. Any ideas? Would tall garden stakes be good enough - or maybe mostly garden stakes with a few T posts for extra support?
Don't get the cheap tposts. Get the strong ones. I bought those and 175 feet of chicken wire and did the same thing. Although I wish I would have sprung for electric. It looks a lot easier to move.
I like the 2x4 idea. you could also use 2x3's and not rip them they are like 1.70 each. I'd paint some tar on something on the bottom foot of the post so they dont rot right away if you end up going this way.
I doubt you can get by with a 7 ft fence and 8 ft poles with only 1 ft in the ground unless you set them in concrete. Even then it won't be very sturdy
