Electric fence or hardware cloth for bottom half of run?

[Farmersat1976]

Hello,

I am starting to get ready to fence my chicken run and need some opinions. I am torn between hardware cloth and electric fence. The top of the run will be welded wire fence. The fence if electric and will be powered by a solar generator. So if anyone can give me some of their pros and cons from experience I would appreciate it so much.

Thanks and stay safe!
steph

 

[jthornton]

My chicken yard has a 5' tall chain link fence with electric on the outside. I have 3 wires, one down low just a couple inches off the ground, the second about nose height to a medium dog and the third is just below the top for climbers. The chain link fence is connected to the ground wire of the fence charger so if an animal touches the chain link fence and a hot wire they get a big shock. I have a 25 mile charger with 1 joule.

JT

 

[Farmersat1976]

Hello JT,
Thank you for the info. Have you had any issues with chicken losses or has it been a non issue with the fence?
Steph

 

[jthornton]

Nothing has gotten into my chicken yard since I added the electric fence. Before opossums and other small critters would squeeze through the chain link fence.

My hens are 2.6 years old and live a happy spoiled safe life in Chicken Fort Knox!

This is Monique.


JT

 

[Farmersat1976]

Thank you so much JT. I will only have 8 hens so I don’t want to lose any if I can help it.

Steph

 

[Farmersat1976]

Oh and JT, Monique is very cute!