chicken run

[jamband]

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.

eing on 4000 acres proaly just means there is lots and lots of other food predators would rather eat.......A hungry racoon will go through chicken wire in aout 2 minutes. I've seen it happen. Metal lath is a little cheaper alternative to the hardware cloth.

 

[Red Barn Farms]

eing on 4000 acres proaly just means there is lots and lots of other food predators would rather eat.......A hungry racoon will go through chicken wire in aout 2 minutes. I've seen it happen. Metal lath is a little cheaper alternative to the hardware cloth.

I hadn't given it much thought but you are no doubt correct. About 15 years ago when it was less developed in the valley with only 4 families we use to see deer, fox, raccoon, ground hog, opossum, coyote and hawks as many as 10 at a time flying. After more land was developed with other families moving in and forest land cleared this all has about stopped. Years ago I would stand on my front porch and once counted 76 wild turkey. Those days are all gone now.

 

[x3smitlj]

I do live in town, but a rural town of about 1500. As for wildlife we do have some although I never see them close to my home. The coop will be place near my house so should be fairly easy to watch. I have 3 dogs with very good hearing. A friend of mine who has chickens said if you walk the dogs around the coop/yard a predator is more likely (not impossible) to stay away as they p/u on their scent and do not want to contend w/the dog. Interesting thought. Can't hurt right? Thanks for the pictures of the chicken wire. I have read about hardware cloth but was unsure what is was, now I know. I will keep both in mind while planning out my coop.
linda

 

[jamband]

7 families on 4000 acres is developed?? I love it. and can I come