fencing around coop

[gossamer]

Hi there. How is everyone? I think I'm going to buy this coop for a few laying hens I'm getting in Spring. We live in Wisconsin... I would like the hens to have free range for most of the day ideally(when it is nice out). I am concerned about losing hens to predators though. Do you think I should fence in an area? If so I'm open to fencing suggestions....Below is a link to the coop. Thanks, Jessica
http://www.randallburkey.com/The-Little-Red-Hen-House/productinfo/10616/

 

[annie3001]

cute coop. i would def fence it.

 

[KKatknap]

Very cute- I like it!

I have a smallish completely fenced in area just for when I have to be out of town for the weekend or something. If someone else is caring for our animals, I don't want to take a chance that they are late closing the door or something. So this gives me (and the chickies) a little more security - mostly for when I can't be here.

I just used no-climb horse fence for the whole area (sides and top), with a flat piece of fencing around the outside to prevent digging under. I also attached poultry fence to the sides up to the 4-ft level. AND a strand of hot wire around the top and bottom - just because I am an overprotective mommy.

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

If you just need a small place for them to stretch their legs, you could wrap a 10'x10'x6' dog kennel with hardware cloth. Put it up next to the coop and cut a hole where the chook door is. What ever kind of fence you decide on make sure you cover the top and bury hardware cloth at least 18" down or put a skirt around the bottom to prevent determined predators from getting into the run.

 

[gossamer]

Thanks for the ideas. What exactly did you use for the fence to prevent digging under? In the first post what is a def fence? Thanks! J

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

Quote:
I think the poster typed def short for definitely.

I use 1/2"x1/2 hardware cloth at the bottom of my runs. Some folks dig them in, however with the hard red clay that I have I use it to skirt mine. The pic below is an example of how I do mine.

Edit: wrong link

 

[gossamer]

Thanks. Thought it must be an electrified fence brand or something! Thanks for the info! I appreciate it, J

 

[chicks4kids]

I let mine free range during the day, however, when we go out of town for a few days or longer, it's nice to have a run that is fenced in so that they can get out during the day and we don't have to worry about predators.

 

[gossamer]

Hello again. I cannot bury a fence in our soil it is pretty much thick clay. Here is what I was thinking... attach some good fencing to wood to make a rectangular enclosure. The bottom would be fenced as well. What do you think? What could I fence the bottom with that would not bother the girl's feet but keep the predators out? Can I use hardware cloth for the top? Thanks! J

 

[mightieskeeper]

I used chicken wire under my run and cover it with a sand. The birds don't notice it. The diggers can't get in and I am happy!