chicken run with chicken wire and electric fence

[chickie-is-obsessed]

I am planning on building a run with 1" chicken wire and running electric fence around the top and bottom. I could run as much electric fence around it as I want and make it like Fort Knox! Our coop is placed in our half acre side yard that is fenced on two sides with 5.5' foot chain link fencing with stretched barbed wire on the top and bottom. The other two sides are fenced with 4' plank fencing. We are surrounded by dairy farms - open fields and pasture. We know there are coyoytes around because we hear them once in awhile at night. Our birds will be put in at night and our coop is built like a house - predator proof. What are your opinions?

This is where we are at. My hubby doesn't want to build a run at all after all the time and $$$$ we put into the coop. Everyone we know around here free ranges their birds. Even my friend who lives across the bay in coyote country keeps her birds out all the time whether they are at home or not. She has had birds for years and has only lost a few when she gets a breed that would rather roost on the fence or in a tree.

I'm torn....I see hubby's point but then I see everyone's runs on here.

So my compromise is to build a run out of those materials to keep them in when we won't be around, but 90% of the time they will be out in the yard anyway.

This picture gives you an idea of the fencing and the area we are in. Yes, there will be hardware cloth on the windows, I just haven't got there yet! I just started cutting some yesterday....is it ever a bugger to work with!!

Might as well show off all hubby's handy work!

 

[Imp]

Very nice coop.
Don't know about your predator situation. Depends a lot on the risks where you are. There is nothing wrong with building a run even if it is just for your peace of mind.

Imp

 

[Backyard_Chicken_rancher]

Sweet coop

 

[patandchickens]

Don't get too smug about having electric. ALL electric fences go dead SOMETIMES, for a variety of reasons, and a passing predator can be quite quick to notice.

Personally I would not use the chickenwire. Anything that wants to get in, probably WILL, possibly even with your hotwires operational since you are leaving a big undefended gap at middle height. IMHO it would be a lot safer to use 2x4 welded wire instead of chickenwire; then add your electric to THAT if you want.

Not saying don't do it if you want, just saying, don't overestimate its security.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat