covering fence holes

[trudyg]

I have a 4x4" goat fence around 1/2 (2 sides) of my chicken yard and chain link for the other 2 sides. My chicks are now 4 weeks old and can't fit thru the holes in the chain link but still can jump thru the holes in the 4" fencing. I currently have them in a coop that is surrounded with the black bird netting but, at 7' high, they are now flying out. I have food and water for them just in case, but also have 5 grown birds that pose a danger to them.

Do you think that I could cover the 4" holes with bird netting and then they could be in the big yard with plenty of cover/hidey holes, etc? The fence top is thin wire (goat wire with the red top wire) and I know that I'll have to make the gate higher (last time the chicks roosted on the gate until I temporarily put up chicken wire to make it higher).

They are 10 red rangers (pretty big already at 4 weeks), 5 buff orpingtons (not as big as the rangers) and 1 packing peanut who is still small but feisty. I think he's a speckled sussex but I don't need another boy so he'll have to go unless he's pretty enough to house separately. The chicken yard is at least 1/2 acre total with trees, bushes and plenty of room for everyone.

 

[misssassyandthechicks]

I would cover the goat fence where the holes are bigger and they're escaping with a roll of hardware cloth.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'd do hardware cloth if it's going to be long term, otherwise for a temporary fix a small opening netting should be fine. Nothing large enough for them to stick their heads through.

 

[imnukensc]

I would use 1/2x1, 1x1, or 1x2 welded wire rather than HWC. HWC seems to be the holy grail on here, but I hate the stuff. It's a PITA to work with while galvanized welded wire is easier to work with and is heavier/thicker material.

 

[trudyg]

I just ran bird netting for 200' and still have some more to cover. That's what I had and I'll leave it until it comes loose on its own, probably a couple years. I'll post back on how it works. These are the babies who are flying over the 7' high partition so covering the holes may be useless if they fly over the fence.