Chicken run question plus unfortunately STORY

[DobieLover]

So basically you got to keep the weeds along your fence almost down to a lawn level

Not entirely. The very bottom strand is just poly rope. The first hot wire is about 4 in up. So you want to keep the area on either side of that fence clear of growth, about a foot on each side.
There are a lot of products out there that inhibit growth for several months. But that doesn't take into account the creeping weeds that will crawl over the bare ground and start going up the fence. But I have found that treating the fence line three to four times a year is adequate. And it only takes maybe 30 minutes each time.

 

[ChickenDude12345]

If you're worried about the chickens eating all the greenery in their run, you could do some grazing frames

Yeah that’s what I was thinking of expanding the area because I do have the room

 

[ChickenDude12345]

Not entirely. The very bottom strand is just poly rope. The first hot wire is about 4 in up. So you want to keep the area on either side of that fence clear of growth, about a foot on each side.
There are a lot of products out there that inhibit growth for several months. But that doesn't take into account the creeping weeds that will crawl over the bare ground and start going up the fence. But I have found that treating the fence line three to four times a year is adequate. And it only takes maybe 30 minutes each time.

OK and one other off-topic question. My chickens are almost 14 weeks old. How do they know not to touch the electric fence I know other animals learn with experience but if they touch it will it kill them?

 

[DobieLover]

OK and one other off-topic question. My chickens are almost 14 weeks old. How do they know not to touch the electric fence I know other animals learn with experience but if they touch it will it kill them?

They will only get a shock if their comb touches the fence. Yes, they will get shocked. No, it will not kill them. Mine didn't die. The fence chargers on the market today all pulse. If you buy a very old charger that runs constantly, that might kill your chickens as they could get "stuck" to the fence

However, the one that gets the shot to the comb is going to send up one hell of an alert call and probably run back to the run and sulk for the day. The others will quickly learn by watching what happens to the birds that do get the shock.

Out of my original flock of 12 birds, I saw/heard three of them hit the fence. After that, nobody did. Subsequent generations have never been shocked. They have all learned to stay away from the fence.

 

[ChickenDude12345]

They will only get a shock if their comb touches the fence. Yes, they will get shocked. No, it will not kill them. Mine didn't die. The fence chargers on the market today all pulse. If you buy a very old charger that runs constantly, that might kill your chickens as they could get "stuck" to the fence

However, the one that gets the shot to the comb is going to send up one hell of an alert call and probably run back to the run and sulk for the day. The others will quickly learn by watching what happens to the birds that do get the shock.

Out of my original flock of 12 birds, I saw/heard three of them hit the fence. After that, nobody did. Subsequent generations have never been shocked. They have all learned to stay away from the fence.

Ok I was just worried because they are not full grown

 

[3KillerBs]

Ok I was just worried because they are not full grown

All mine have been fine with the electric so far.

 

[Tonyroo]

Yeah but with them constantly eating and trampling it would it not grow?

There's 2 ways to approach it, keep re-seeding it or locate a good area with sun light plow and seed then use a cloth wire frame to cover the area to keep area safe and allow grass to grow through the cloth wire.

For me I have a large area so I went with re-seeding. My flock takes about 3 months to mow it down. Then I just re-seed again. There not constantly graze the grass cause I throw some scratch in the grass patch.

 

[aart]

For me I have a large area so I went with re-seeding. My flock takes about 3 months to mow it down. Then I just re-seed again. There not constantly graze the grass cause I throw some scratch in the grass patch.

How long do you have to keep the birds off the reseeded area?

 

[ChickenDude12345]

All mine have been fine with the electric so far.

OK so basically what I need is a fence energizer the fence and a voltage tester. What kind of energizer do I need - 30 J or 60 J i’m not sure how much length of fence I’ll use but how much do I need per 100 feet

 

[3KillerBs]

OK so basically what I need is a fence energizer the fence and a voltage tester. What kind of energizer do I need - 30 J or 60 J i’m not sure how much length of fence I’ll use but how much do I need per 100 feet

Being complete beginners with electric we went with the kit as linked above.

Here's a good article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/a-treatise-on-electric-fences-for-poultry.72229/