chicken run

[x3smitlj]

I was offered some screens to use for a run. The screen material is of a nylon synthetic material (not metal). Will the chickens peck through this and/or would the material harm them in any way??? If not, good cheap way to make a run of some sort! Your thoughts?
Linda

 

[Red Barn Farms]

I'm not sure what you are actually referring to. Is it like screen used for storm doors, windows, etc? Can you post an image of the screen or a link showing the type of screen? At first thought I have to wonder if it might be a material predators can chew through.

 

[x3smitlj]

My friend replaced the screens on an indoor/outdoor room/sunroom. When you scratch w/your fingernail on the screen, it is not metal (at least on the outside) but feels like a plastic coating of sorts ... mind you, it is a fine mesh as you would expect on a screen window. I do not think it would easily tear (you could cut w/a utility knife)? Any carpenters out there?
Thanks Linda Lou

 

[Red Barn Farms]

My friend replaced the screens on an indoor/outdoor room/sunroom. When you scratch w/your fingernail on the screen, it is not metal (at least on the outside) but feels like a plastic coating of sorts ... mind you, it is a fine mesh as you would expect on a screen window. I do not think it would easily tear (you could cut w/a utility knife)? Any carpenters out there?
Thanks Linda Lou

I would still be afraid a raccoon, opossum, fox, coyote or other animal might chew through it. Most predators have razor sharp teeth and can chew through regular metal chicken wire. I do use the type of screen you are referring to (only) as a cover for the top of my brooder but it's located in the garage so I have no fear of any animals getting in there. Personally, I'd be afraid to use it for a run area or on any part of the coop.

 

[x3smitlj]

better safe than sorry right? I think you may be right ... spend a couple dollars and save your chickies! What sort of setup do you have?

 

[Red Barn Farms]

Our flock of chickens live in their hen house. It's 32' x 40'. They also have a 8' x 16' run area. I let them out a few hours before dusk to free range most evenings on one acre of ground. They have outdoor run access all day though. When we are home on weekends they free range most of it too.

 

[x3smitlj]

Nice! I unfortunately do not have quite so much space. And, not sure if there will be much freeroaming as I do not have a fence. I do live in a small rural town but still, have neighbors. I don't think chickens take orders! Do you have any trouble with racoons or fox? Like I said, thanks for the pics! Cute chickies!
linda

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

I know that even a squirrel can chew through a screen door. A raccoon would have no problem chewing in and helping itself to your poor birds.

 

[x3smitlj]

Thanks. I will stick to my original plan and use chicken wire .... make sure it is strong enough to protect my chicks. I appreciate everyones advice. And I think you are right - "something" may be able to chew through this material.
linda

 

[Red Barn Farms]

Thanks. I will stick to my original plan and use chicken wire .... make sure it is strong enough to protect my chicks. I appreciate everyones advice. And I think you are right - "something" may be able to chew through this material.
linda

Some will advise you to use 'hardware cloth' because it is the most dependable, strongest and smallest of weaving.







As they say for chicken wire, it is made to keep chickens from getting out but not other animals from getting in!





Personally I went with the chicken wire for two reasons.

1. Big difference in cost. Hardware cloth is a lot higher in price than chicken wire.

2. I live in an area where I have very little concern for predators. I and seven other families live in a huge valley of over 4000 acres of land. ALL of us have chickens and over the past 5 years there has only been one chicken death due to a predator and that was a neighbors beagle hound puppy. We will see the occasional hawk fly over.

I used the chicken wire for my run area. My hen house does have windows which are covered in the hardware cloth. Some people use the chicken wire in the run area then also the hardware cloth. Digging a trench no less than 10 inches deep then using the hardware cloth buried in the ground then running up the run area about two feet high helps if you live in an area with predators.


If you look close to the right hand side of this image you can see where I applied hardware cloth.