Fence posts ??? How far apart

[Crower]

I am building a pen and I never put poultry wire up before. I am using 4 x 4 posts and 6 foot wire . How far apart should I put them.Thanks. I THINK IT WOULD BE BETTER TO ASK MY STUPID QUESTIONS THAN TO DO IT ALL AGAIN. Crower Thanks crower

 

[wannabchick]

Here is where you will have some serious differences..hehhee

I read some do, 6 feet apart, some 3 feet apart some..4 post in each corner..hehehe
Some order the exact length to go from support to support so they don't hsve to cut

Ayayaya

You sound just like me btw..

Enjoy and best of luck

 

[GeneJordan]

I am putting mine 6 foot on center... 3 cross boards (one at ground, one at top, and one 3 foot up)

Using fence staples to attach to 4x4 posts and 2x4 cross boards

I could be way off too, but I would think that the 14 gauge fence will be strong at that

 

[moetrout]

My plan for this spring is to build mine with the 4x4 posts 10 feet apart like all my other fencing with a top, middle and bottom rail (just 2x4's).

 

[elmo]

Sorry if you already know this, but just in case you don't: do you realize that chicken wire isn't predator secure? It will keep your chickens in, but it won't keep most predators out.

 

[Lbrad7]

I go with posts 8ft apart then 6' chicken wire then wrap it in 2x4 welded wire. The chicken wire keeps the birds from sticking their heads out through the wire and the welded wire keeps the larger predators out. I also run a hot wire around the bottom just for good measure.

 

[twodogs]

I have no experience with fencing for a coop yet, but I do from my orchard. I fenced 1/2 an acre a few years ago with welded wire. I placed them 10' apart. If you are using chicken wire I think you will need to be closer than that so that your wire doesn't sag. I am going to build a pen in about a month - once the SW PA weather is more cooperative. I will probably place mine around 6 or 8' apart - depending on the measurement of my modified shed.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Wow, someone actually asking BEFORE they do it. That is very exciting, people don't often do it with respect to run fencing! Good for you

It depends on how large your run will be (very small runs, like 8x8 for instance, can get away with weeblier fences and longer post spacing than 'real' sized runs), how windy your site is and how squishy or sandy your soil can be (the windier the site or the softer the soil, the more posts you should use and the deeper you should set them) and how likely you think it is that the fence will be *seriously* challenged by large predators, or for that matter backed into by the lawnmower.

With 4x4 posts and a "normal to large" run and "normal" soil (whatever normal is

) I would say pick a number between 5-8 feet, certainly no further apart than 8 ft. With high wind, soft soil or high risk, use more posts.

Btw, if by "poultry wire" you mean hex chickenwire, be aware that the great majority of what's sold today is BY NO MEANS predatorproof. It just keeps chickens from wandering out. I would very very strongly suggest something, well, stronger, like good quality 1x1 welded wire, or good quality 2x4 welded wire with something smaller-gauge added along the bottom. Be careful of anything 2x2 or 2x3 which IME tends to be extremely weebly and light-duty -- small-gauge and crappily welded, I would not use it for predatorproofing.

You will also want some means of keeping predators from digging in, I don't know if you've planned this already but a wire apron at least 2' wide is a good idea all around the run.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[6chickens in St. Charles]

Ditto!

Stronger welded wire is worth the investment. Floppier wire will look scrabbly in a year or two after a few storms, dogs, children's baseballs and tired moms bump into it. The welded 1inch x 1 inch wire will hold up for years without getting messy or rusty or worn out. I accidentally bought green vinyl 2inchx3inch welded wire, but not the higher grade, and it's a mess. I wish I could start over, but that's a few days' work. I wish I had invested in the tighter, stronger wire to begin with.

Ditto to Good Luck and HAVE FUN!

 

[Newbie in Screamer Al]

I used 4 posts per length of run which is 25 ft. I also used the 2x4 14 ga. wire and it worked awesome. I didn't have to use cross boards because I attached it to my roof which was made with the same wire.