Fence height

[Aunt Angus]

Curious about this, too. I have a 6 ft fence. My large birds have never even attempted to leave. I'm getting two silkies and a third "mystery" bantam this summer. The silkies wouldn't be able to scale a 6 ft fence based on what I've read. It's that third one I'm concerned about....

 

[Aunt Angus]

maybe glue bricks to their feet

I LOLed at this! What a mental image!

 

[Tabschooks]

Suitably terrified now in case they get out will see if possible to put chicken wire over top

 

[aart]

Suitably terrified now in case they get out will see if possible to put chicken wire over top

Always a good idea to cover run, to keep chickens in and predators out!

 

[Aunt Angus]

My run is covered. More worried about them escaping my yard when I let them out. Only predators here are nocturnal (opossum, skunk). I'm sure there are raccoon because they are ubiquitous, but I've never seen one in my quarter century in this area. I know there are dogs in the neighborhood, but they'd have to go through multiple neighbors' fenced yards to get to mine. And my neighbors next door are cannabis growers (legal), so they are pretty vigilant about keeping their property free and clear of any intruders, human or non-human - LOL!

 

[TropicalBabies]

Hi all
I’m going to get some silkie bantams and was wondering what height the fence should be around the enclosure as I have dogs and don’t want the chickens to get out
Thanks

Fun thread
We don't really have predators here, maybe a stray hunting dog or a mean, hungry feral cat. My want was to make my chickens part of my yard, garden, landscaping. Kinda like a Home and Garden picture...(ha ha ha ha!!!) I personally like them to wander or free range, dogs are easy to train, but hubby was not happy about poop (and i scooped it all the time), garden and landscaping casualties. Bantam-esq chickens go everywhere and i have to go hunt for eggs sometimes :/. Though they always come home... so far and i lock them in coop. Clipping wings makes them less safe, so I except or rehome. In retrospect, or to do it a again, I think a completely enclosed coop and run would be awesome. Problem solved.

 

[Tabschooks]

Thanks for all your help and info
I think I will enclose whole area as I don’t want any accidents from local cats or my dogs
It’s quite a big area
About 24 foot by 6-9foot and will be 6ft plus high so that I can attach to fence that is already there
Just need to figure out how to enclose the apple tree that is there lol

 

[Peppercorngal]

Thanks for all your help and info
I think I will enclose whole area as I don’t want any accidents from local cats or my dogs
It’s quite a big area
About 24 foot by 6-9foot and will be 6ft plus high so that I can attach to fence that is already there
Just need to figure out how to enclose the apple tree that is there lol

I have a completely enclosed run attached to the coop for night time safety. I was having trouble with stray dogs and foxes and coyotes during the day running in from the forest, grabbing a hen and running out. I put up a 4 foot farm fence to create a huge run area and in certain areas (like the forest side) added another 3 feet to that. I do have a couple of problem chickens, (my Delawares) that occasionally get on top of the run attached to the coop and then out of the big run. I think part of it depends on the chickens. My RiR, hybrids, wyandottes, barred rocks, ss, and easter eggers have no interest in leaving the big run. Only the Delaware hens want to get out!

 

[debsgoat]

I keep my chickens in an enclosed carport for the winter and have separated by breed. the big chickens had to have a top put on their 4' pens but the bantam silkies never bother to get out of their 2' pen. the bantam cochins will get out of the 2' pen but not the 4'. silkies don't fly.

 

[Rocky-Acres]

Hi all
I’m going to get some silkie bantams and was wondering what height the fence should be around the enclosure as I have dogs and don’t want the chickens to get out
Thanks

Taller fence with netting over the top to keep hawks, owls, eagles etc out. Tall enough so your not crawling to get one of your chickens that might need help.......