Chicken wire

[janet2802]

We are starting to build our chicken coop and are having a problem with connecting the chicken wire. We have two rolls we are working from, and are going back and forth over the top of the coop and the sides, but are not sure what to do to connect the wire together to not have holes. We thought old hay baling wire, but are worried when walking by and getting caught. Or about twist ties, which work ok at the top. This coop is at least 10 feet tall with plumber pipes instead of wooden posts to hold it up. We are almost done and just need a little help with the last bits. Thanks in advance!

 

[Gracefulspice]

We used those plastic ties on ours to hold it to another section. You can make them pretty tight, and just cut the ends of with wire cutters. Good Luck!

 

[justusnak]

How about the wire you buy for fencing? Im not sure how expencive it is, but they will have it at Lowes or Home Depot. Or maybe even Quick ties? I would think the quick ties would get brittle in the winter tho. I would go with fencing wire. Its easy to use, and bend.

 

[janet2802]

We will go pick up some fencing wire tomorrow. Thanks for the advice!

And the babies are dying to get outside now. Well, now that the spring storm has past by. It is getting to be around 35 or 40 degrees at night. Is that too cold for them?

 

[mudhen]

How old are they? Will they have a heat lamp on in the coop for the night?

 

[justusnak]

I would say 35 or 40 at night is too cold. Will you be closeing them in at night with a heat light? Be carefull they dont get a chill!

 

[allen wranch]

You can also use "hog rings" to hold the wire together. They are little "C" shaped bits of wire that you clamp together with a hog ring crimper.

 

[janet2802]

Thanks for all the advice. My husband used the twist tie idea and they are finally in their new home. So far, so good! If 35 to 40 is cold, then I will make sure the heat lamp is secured for them tonight. Greg was able to finish enclosing the coop itself, but still has a little bit more work to do. I also put down some sawdust for them to nest in for the night. With Greg going out of town tonight for a week, I am hoping we don't get any freak snow storms. Although, their old home, a water trough, is still waiting for them if needed. Not sure how cold it is going to be here, but it has been 80 all day today. I will post the coop design on the other board in a bit too. It is pretty neat concept. Although, we are just waiting for a typical Colorado Spring Storm (lots and lots of wet snow) to see how it holds up.

Right now, they are checking out their new "digs" and getting aquainted to the outside. Crispy keeps laying down sideways though. Is that like marking his "territory"? Or is he just being weird? He does get up and move around fine though. And they are about 6 - 7 weeks old. I will send pictures too because I have no real good idea what they are.

 

[allen wranch]

Janet,
Members are probably tired of me saying this, and I should have mentioned it to you earlier, but... Chicken wire is to keep chickens in, but it doesn't keep predators out.

Unless you have a livestock guardian dog or your pen is electrified, you will lose birds if they are not locked up at night in a secure area.

Is there a coop attached to your chicken wire pen or is the whole coop chicken wire with a tarp or something else for a top ?

 

[janet2802]

Nope, I always appreciate advice. The coop itself is inside the run. Right now it is a temporary-let's get the chickens outside-state. We do get them inside the coop at night and they are out during the day. The whole thing is enclosed with chicken wire too. We have two dogs that run around, as well as children always close by. I am going to post the photos of what was done for them on the Coop page. Thanks again.