Chicken Wire is really Expensive! Any suggestions?

[midwestchickenwrangler]

I found some at McMaster-Carr (mcmaster.com) that is fairly well priced. They also have mulitple kinds of fencing (i.e. welded wire, puoltry netting, harware cloth, etc.). I hope this helps.

 

[Birdbrain99114]

I have the bird netting over the top of our chicken yard and it works great at keeping the hawks and eagles out. MUCH less expensive than chicken wire and it works. We have hawks here all the time and they leave my girls alone.

 

[patandchickens]

Don't use chickenwire (IMHO). If this will be an open-topped and basically-not-very-secure run ANYhow, at least use something that animals can't easily rip through, like 2x4 welded wire (nothing with any larger opening than that, though). It would be very wise to add something with smaller holes over the bottom 2-3', too, to prevent reach-through 'incidents', but if your fence wire is strong like heavy gauge 2x4 mesh is, you can potentially use something weaker for the smaller-meshed material if you really, really want to.

Cheapest way to get wire fencing is to haunt farm auctions, or if you have a local junk or salvage yard that resells things, or put 'wanted - used wire mesh fencing' ads everywhere and keep an eye on Craigslist. Most of mine is secondhand. Secondhand chainlink works too, IF you know how to install it CORRECTLY (and have all the necessary pieces).

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[dacjohns]

Quote:
Upstate as in Upstate New York?

No, lol Upstate of S.C.!

Possible SC predators include:
Red and gray fox
Coyote
Red wolf
Bobcat
Skunks
Weasels
Mink
Raccoon
Black bear
Oppossum
Little rodents like squirrels, rats, mice

Maybe you live in town so some of the above are less likely to prey on your birds.

 

[Chicken0Boy]

Quote:
No, lol Upstate of S.C.!

Possible SC predators include:
Red and gray fox
Coyote
Red wolf
Bobcat
Skunks
Weasels
Mink
Raccoon
Black bear
Oppossum
Little rodents like squirrels, rats, mice

Maybe you live in town so some of the above are less likely to prey on your birds.

With that being said what type of cloth do you think I should use? Like measurment wise? I am really confused. I went looking for hard wire cloth but all I found was some that was 2 ft tall and my run is 6 feet tall! Please help I am really getting nervous and aggravated!! I saw some poultry netting that was 6 ft tall but now I am doubting that I should use it!

 

[Backyard_Chicken_rancher]

Welded wire and hardware cloth is a must it is pricey but worth it in the long run or do like I did wait put an add on CL for anyone taking down a fence (ie chainlink) offer to haul it away for free posts are cheap I bought Tpost's you run the hardware cloth along the bottom of it and avirey netting along the top then if you live where alot of 2-4 legged predators live you may want to think about a hot wire going around it....

Good luck to you.

 

[bethandjoeync]

we use the welded wire. that is 5 ft tall. yes it is expensive, but it is very sturdy. and when you buy it you will have plenty left over. for 50 ft I think it's $40 ish dollars click here for an example

ours is more than what we needed at the time, but now with more chickens it works great! (and the guard dog behind it works great too lol)
I call it fort chicken, because it's a bit over the top but I think it has been worth it. with no predator problem so far

 

[Tam'ra of Rainbow Vortex]

If cost is your biggest issue, google freecycle to see if there is a group in your area. You can ask for or offer anything so long as its free. I am part of the local group and I have gotten amazing stuff!

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
If you go to the farm/feed store, they will have all sorts of fencing that your Home Depot (or whatever) doesn't.

Personally in your shoes I would use 2x4 welded wire mesh (heavy livestock gauge, not weebly thin garden-type), with something small mesh on the bottom 2-3'. Or alternatively make it only 4' high and run an electric wire about 6" above-and-outside the top of it, to discourage climbers and jumpers.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Chicken0Boy]

Quote:
If you go to the farm/feed store, they will have all sorts of fencing that your Home Depot (or whatever) doesn't.

Personally in your shoes I would use 2x4 welded wire mesh (heavy livestock gauge, not weebly thin garden-type), with something small mesh on the bottom 2-3'. Or alternatively make it only 4' high and run an electric wire about 6" above-and-outside the top of it, to discourage climbers and jumpers.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

Thanks sooooo much I might go with that!