Fencing Ideas?

[cafarmgirl]

How hard they try to fly over the fence depends a lot on how happy they are in their run and what's on the other side of the fence! If they have a spacious run with plenty of room so they are not feeling crowded and getting on each other's nerves then they may not attempt a four foot fence. But if there is green grass or anything else outside the fence that catches their fancy they may give it a shot. Also, if it's to small and if there is ever any chasing or bullying they may try to fly out.

My run is made out of 48" chain link dog run panels, I solved the flying over issue as well as the hawk issue by covering it with a heavy duty shade cloth custom made to fit my run from my local hardware store.

 

[Animals970]

This is what my setup is going to be like: The coops are in the run of course. Then, there will be a gate so me and my chickens can go through the gate. I have a pine tree field in my front yard, I own the land and someone else owns the trees. When the people come to care for the trees (spray chemicals every now and then) then I wont let my chickens come out of the run. And when I'm just going to be gone for the day, then the chickens will stay in the run.

But when I'm going to be home all day, they will be able to go outside the run to, into my yard. They will be able to go into the yard or run. Its they're choice

 

[4 the Birds]

This is what my setup is going to be like: The coops are in the run of course. Then, there will be a gate so me and my chickens can go through the gate. I have a pine tree field in my front yard, I own the land and someone else owns the trees. When the people come to care for the trees (spray chemicals every now and then) then I wont let my chickens come out of the run. And when I'm just going to be gone for the day, then the chickens will stay in the run.

But when I'm going to be home all day, they will be able to go outside the run to, into my yard. They will be able to go into the yard or run. Its they're choice

My advice is to build a run with a cover. This way the chickens can have outside access when you are not home or away for the weekend. You can still free range them outside the run when you are home. If your run does not have a roof or netting on top then the chickens can potentially get out and predators can get in. Make the run high enough so that you can walk in to clean without crouching down!

Even heavy breed chickens can fly up over 7' high from a standing launch. Mine often fly up onto a 7' high hay shed roof; Yet, they stay within the 1 acre free range area with a 4 ft. high perimeter fence. Hope this helps!

 

[Sonya9]

I am just now planning the fencing for my coop. I am a complete newbie so keep that in mind but....

I originally considered 6' high galvanized wire (it was about $119 for a 100 ft roll). I wanted it tall so if I decided to put a net over the top to protect against hawks etc....and keep the chickens in I could still walk around their yard comfortably. With a low fence if you decide you need to put a net on top to keep them in it will make it a real pain when you need to enter their yard.

I have since bought electric netting as I want to move their pen so they can have fresh grass and not be sitting in plain dirt while everything outside of their pen is lush and full of bugs, yummy follage, etc... The electric net is only 48" high but we shall see how it works.

 

[nellynelly]

we have a flock that has a run within a peach orchard. when the trees dont have fruit, the chickens get access to the orchard (~1.5 acres). it has a 3.5' high fence, and have no interest in leaving.

 

[Animals970]

I'm not putting a roof on my run!!. It will make them and me feel as if they are confined ALL the time. My chickens have been free ranging for years now. Some stay near the house and their coop, while other travel 100+ yards away, into the woods or pine field. I have only lost a few chickens within 3-4 years while free-ranging. I am more worried about Raccoons, Skunks, Foxes, and Opposums, than Hawks and Owls.

So, thanks for suggesting it. But I do not have to funds for a roof, nor do I want a roof. And like I said, they will be outside the run most of the time, so when their in the run for a few hours by themselves every week or so (On Sundays for church) then I don't think they'll want to try to get out.

Also, I must say. @nellynelly . Are you from Bogota, Colorado. Or Bogota, Columbia?

 

[nellynelly]

colombia

 

[RosesChallenge]

I'm not putting a roof on my run!!. It will make them and me feel as if they are confined ALL the time. My chickens have been free ranging for years now. Some stay near the house and their coop, while other travel 100+ yards away, into the woods or pine field. I have only lost a few chickens within 3-4 years while free-ranging. I am more worried about Raccoons, Skunks, Foxes, and Opposums, than Hawks and Owls.

So, thanks for suggesting it. But I do not have to funds for a roof, nor do I want a roof. And like I said, they will be outside the run most of the time, so when their in the run for a few hours by themselves every week or so (On Sundays for church) then I don't think they'll want to try to get out.

Also, I must say. @nellynelly . Are you from Bogota, Colorado. Or Bogota, Columbia?

Animals970, where are you located to not be concerned about aerial predators?
Let me tell you by first hand experience...
I was cleaning my chicken coop and heard the roosters making their aerial warning sounds.
I quickly stepped out of the coop and there was a hawk on the ground right in front of me!
Sharp hooked beak and small beady eyes. It was about the size of a large breed hen.
Luckily it flew off without any of my chickens, but it now knows they are there.
The hawk perches in the trees every now and then a few hundred yards from the coop and run and waits patiently for prey.
Free ranging is taking a risk but they have more hiding places...having a run to confine without a roof is unfair to the chickens, you are setting them up as bait for aerial predators...
the chickens kind of loose their mind when under attack and don't think rationally to go in a coop, running and flying in all directions.
If you have free ranged for years, why change now. Are predators getting them?
There's news that stringing shiny cd's around the top of an open run may help deter aerial predators, if you do not want to put a tarp, netting,fencing, roof on top.
8 feet should suffice to keep non-flighty birds retained.

 

[Animals970]

Yeah, one of my friends ties shiny Cd's around their run.

I'm gonna place hiding spots in the run don'tcha know. I don't know what, but I had already planned on putting hiding places in their run. I might even plant some bushes in there.

 

[WindStep]

I have a 60 inch chicken wire fence and they can still fly out of it! Well you know that cuz. I just wanted to expand your tread!