Fencing for outside run?

[polychickens]

Greetings all. I am new to chicken ownership and need help with selecting fencing for an outside run. It'll be framed with treated lumber and I'm looking at some of the fencing as opposed to chicken wire.

Price wise, it is far cheaper to go with the stronger fencing that has 2x4 'holes' in it. Are these holes to big? I love the 1x2 stuff but it is costly and comes in such small sizes. I could purchase the 2x4 stuff in 4 foot widths 100 feet long which is perfect. The run area will be 12x16. We have 2 flocks of 15 each that will both use the run but at different times. They each have a separate indoor coop. The run will be for daytime use only and the chickens are locked at night. Therefore the main predators will be our 3 cats, but they keep the rodents in check.

Thanks for the help. I'm glad to have found this site!

Polychickens

 

[Arklady]

I have used all three of the fencing materials you have asked about. The cheapest place to get the larger rolls of 1"x2"x6' welded wire is at your local CO-OP they have all that stuff. I have had problems with the 2"x4" welded wire being not quite what I wanted, as it was made in China so I had to re-evaluate what kind of wire I wanted to use, because it seemed to have welding problems in sections of it.

Chicken wire is ok if you can find the turkey poult type chicken wire. It is said to be heavier but I have never used it. Personally I love my 1"x2"x6' fence I have yet to have a chicken escape it just from jumping over. If they can get onto something then yeah they can vault over. But I love how strong it is.

I would check out the CO-OP first and decide if you can get it. I bought mine there before it got so expensive. I would still use it even if it was higher just because it is so good.

You would save money just buying the good stuff over the other.

Some folks use chain link but for me that just isn't an option. I just don't have confidence in something that needs total support on all sides.

Anyways just something to consider. Don't decide until you have checked out the local CO-OP you won't be sorry.

Arklady

 

[rockAdoodle]

i won't go with the bigger wire, since the hole are big and the chicken can stick the head out through the holes and become easy prey for an animals. i go with the regular chicken wire. i bought a roll of 48inch by 150 ft for under 60 dollars farm supple store.

 

[polychickens]

Thanks for the quick replies. I'll have to keep looking to see if I can find some larger quantities of 1x2. Both the local farm supply stores sell only 24"x25' of that type.

Chicken wire with the hex pattern is just too flimsy for my larger walk-in run, unless I add a lot more framing. I'll need something a bit more rigid. For the top, chicken wire or deer mesh will do.

Thanks again!
Poly

 

[Newchickenmom&kids]

We got ours at Menards...can't remember the price but not bad at all!

 

[polychickens]

I ended up finding a 4' x 100' roll of 1x1 and stapled it to a treated frame. Now the birds have a 12x16 run. Tomorrow I'll put some deer netting over the top...or maybe some chicken wire.

Would I be ok to leave the coop door open to the run even at night without fear of predators? Animals in my area are Opossum, skunk, squirrel, groundhog, plenty birds-of-prey, some snakes, and our cats. I have never seen a raccoon or coyote near my property, but we do get the occasional dog. I trenched fencing into the ground around the perimeter of the run. Could I just let them 'free range' from coop to run 24 hours/day when the weather is mild?

Thanks!
Polychickens