Fencing in Pasture

[FatherofFlowers]

I've seen a few "fence height" threads around, but I thought another wouldn't hurt, just in case anyone has additional suggestions

We'll possibly be moving to a 2 acre horse farm (no horses on it) in a month or two, and all the girls will be getting even more space. They're currently in a 8x8 pasture pen that gets moved daily.

The new house comes with 2 pastures (about 1/2 an acre each) fenced off with 4 board board fencing (it's between 5 and 6 ft high, pretty sure it's 6), and we'll be putting the girls in one (and converting the pasture pen to a coop). We'd like to put up welded wire on the existing fencing to keep dogs out (as the county doesn't have a leash law, and there are plenty of dogs in the area running around) and help keep the girls in. So, questions are:

Is 6ft high enough to keep the girls in? I know it's high enough to keep most dogs out.
Any extra precautions? The farm has a few neighbors, and the entire thing is surrounded by woods, so while I already expect hawks, I wouldn't be surprised if a couple nested nearby.

Thanks for any help

 

[bigT88]

my fence is about 5 ft. high. they get over once in while to venture. i usually have to toss them back over.

 

[bigT88]

but the main importance is to keep the dogs out. so i think your fine

 

[Alaskan]

Sounds wonderful, except for the hawk problem, which might mean you have to cover the entire thing...and that would be a pain.

If you have super good flyers, you can always clip their wings.

You will have no problem keeping put dogs with such an awesome fence , just remember dogs love to dig.

 

[4 the Birds]

I am not clear about your 4 board fencing. You say it is 6' high? Most post and 4 board farm fencing is 4' high. I have never seen 4 board fencing 6' high. Anyway.... I would just use standard WOVEN wire field fencing along your existing fence. Welded wire is cheaper but it will rust and the welds are easily broken by any livestock and dogs can even go through it. I would not be concerned with the height since since dogs can dig under or climb fences (95% will be deterred). Certain dogs can climb any height fence! A solid woven wire fence will deter most of your predators as your birds free range. Hope this helps.

 

[Going Quackers]

I'd truly question it being 5 or 6ft, i keep horses been around them my whole life, the fencing is a standard 4ft even when does as boarded and i know of the style you mean.

I think it would depend on your chickens fly up ability, mine are in a dog run so it's tall and i have seen them darn near hit the top of it! plus as mentioned, sky predators maybe an issues, you'll need areas for them to take cover and i doubt the paddocks have much, we have a few trees left in one and the horses have practically killed them between eating them and rubbing on them(their well fed too, just cheeky)

I'd want a nice close wire so they don't stick their heads out and risk loosing them, cats are a concern too they'll climb up and over most stuff.

 

[Keggen]

Depends on the breed of chickens you have. My fence is a little over 6ft high and all my white leghorns fly over every day. Once in a while my buff orpingtons try but fail. The rest of my flock either cannot or don't try. I think they are too heavy to do it.

 

[dirtsaver]

We have about 1/2 acre fenced pasture for the chickens. Our Buff Brahmas do not get very high off the ground so 4' welded wire works just fine for us. When we had Welsummers and Speckled Sussex they could fly over the 6' run attatched to the coop. Everything is relative. A fox or dog can clear a pretty tall fence,or bull their way through one. We once had a dog that chewed it's way through a chain-link kennel! Not much way to stop a varmit if it really wants a chicken dinner,so you do what you can live with(and afford!) and take your chances.

 

[FatherofFlowers]

Thanks everybody
The original owner of the house for some reason thought it'd be a good idea to put a 5' fence up (checked it myself few days ago when we signed on the place). No idea why she chose that, as I'm used to putting up 4' as well, but people do stuff for whatever reason they do them.