Chickens slipping through hogfence squares

[Marissao717]

My coop is in a 1 acre fenced in area that has dwarf goats. My chickens are 12ish weeks old and I want to free range them while I'm doing chores in the morning in the fenced in area. My chickens atleast the skinny ones are slipping through the hog fence squares. This scares me I share one side with my neighbor and they have a German shepherd. I also have a mischievous cat that stays outside the hog fence. Will they get too big to slip through? Should I build them their own free range fence with chicken wire?

 

[Lamaremybabies]

They will get big enough and won't be able to fit through the holes but for the moment I'd make them a temporary area with chicken wire until they're obviously too large to fit.

 

[aart]

That looks like 4" x 4" field fencing...hog pane have smaller holes at the bottom...but I digress. Agrees to line fencing with chicken wire, I have slimmish hen that can get thru 4" openings. Once your birds get used to getting out, they may just go over that fence....hopefully not, but keep it in mind.

 

[Stephine]

I would consider a new fence or adding electric - a GSD seeing something interesting on the other side can jump that with ease, even if your chickens stay on your side.
We have field fencing, with slightly smaller openings on the bottom than on the top and about the same height as yours. The chickens could have gone through it when they were younger, but only one did, one single time. I trained my chickens to come when called so it wasn't a big deal. They have never gone over it - maybe because they are all dual purpose breed and pretty large, or maybe because there is enough space and greens inside the fenced area, so they don't feel like they need to bother at all.
A fox or small bobcat, however, could walk right through the fence, before my dog has much of a chance to notice. We will be getting a no climb fence (woven wire, 2x4 openings) installed very soon, 6ft, 2 extra wires above to keep out deer, too. I would never trust that fence to keep my chickens safe from large dogs...