Economical Fencing Options and Techniques

[ams3651]

The only predators I have are at night, maybe a fox or raccoon and my chickens will be secured every night so I found a heavy plastic fencing that I am securing to 5' fence posts and putting chicken wire around the outside and bending out the bottom. This isnt the flimsy plastic stuff, it is very stiff. I know, I know....some will say its not enough but I seriously dont have the predators. If you do have them as a concern, it will cost more to be secure. Ive spent $25 on posts, some I already had, $12 on the 40" x 25' plastic fence and I think $18 for the chicken wire. I also put netting over the top. Im still in the process of putting it all up.

 

[backintime]

Snakyjake, save some gas money and place a PHONE call to every hardware store or building supply within driving distance. In a 15 mile radius around my house, I found a range of $1.47 per running foot of 5' high hardware cloth to a whopping $3.99 per running foot! The cheapest place ended up being a True Value Hardware which sold me the whole 100' roll for $147.00. Chicken wire used to be much stronger in the "old days" but not anymore ... the stuff I bought was so flimsy I used it to surround the garden instead.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Um, raccoons and foxes certainly DO sometimes hunt in daytime. Honest. Especially in late spring and early summer when they have extra mouths at home to feed. The fact that you've never seen any doesn't mean they aren't there.

One thing to consider is that predators learn inconveniently well. You may float happily along with no problems until the first predator gets its first chicken dinner.... and then the rules change. They will know the food is there, and actively try to get at it. Furthermore any other predators nearby, that happen to find or smell the carcasses from the first lucky predator, will *also* know.

It is MUCH easier to keep predators from ever getting your chickens in the first place than it is to keep them from coming back for seconds once they have had a taste and are extra-motivated. As Alaska animal lover said, above, good fencing may not be cheap but it is not cheap to have to build a whole NEW run fence after predators have gotten in and eaten your flock, either. This is probably one of those things that it is both easier and cheaper in the long run to do Right the first time.

Good luck,

Pat

 

[Chirpy]

snakyjake asked:

I was thinking of using welded wire + hardware cloth or chicken wire.
Thinking:
5'+ tall of welded wire (not buried unless I can get 6' or taller, then bury 1')
2' tall of cloth or chicken wire, not buried
1' buried cloth or chicken wire
1' buried outward cloth/chicken wire

Thoughts on the chicken wire vs. hardware cloth?
Is this a good frugal plan?

Both Big R and Home Depot (here in Colorado) have 6 ft. tall 2x4 welded wire. Use 3 ft. tall 1" chicken wire OR hardware cloth to wrap around the 2x4 welded wire. Bury the bottom foot into the ground. You don't have to bend it outward into the "L" shape but that does help. However, using the 3 ft. tall wouldn't allow for that so you would want to get 4 ft. tall.

Hardware cloth is ALWAYS the best and totally predator proof. If you can't afford the hardware cloth THEN use the 1" chicken wire.

I don't think there is anything frugal about putting together a solid, secure, predator proof chicken run unless you already have the materials or get them for free!