Fencing material

[Delmer_B]

We are new to raising chickens and have enough space to fence off a large area to allow them to roam/forge in. Total length of the fence is 650 ft., and we are going to make it 5 ft tall (going to add an extra foot on the bottom to keep out predators). Looking for suggestions on the type of material to use. Fence would be more to keep unwanted visitors out more than keeping the chickens in. Thanks.

 

[DobieLover]

We are new to raising chickens and have enough space to fence off a large area to allow them to roam/forge in. Total length of the fence is 650 ft., and we are going to make it 5 ft tall (going to add an extra foot on the bottom to keep out predators). Looking for suggestions on the type of material to use. Fence would be more to keep unwanted visitors out more than keeping the chickens in. Thanks.

You could put up 2x4 wire fencing on T-posts with insulators on the outside of the posts for electric wire. I'd position the hot wires at 6", 12" and 18" and charge them with a good fence charger. I use a 10,000 volt/1.2 Joule output charger on 42" high poultry netting. For a more permanent and sturdy fence you could sink wood posts on the corners.

The chickens don't fly out of the 42" high fence because they prefer to fly up to a solid surface then fly over. There is no solid surface atop netting or wire fencing. You wouldn't have to put up a 5' high fence. The gate, usually framed out in wood, on the other hand should be high as that is a common escape route.

I have found my electrified netting to be an excellent deterrent to ground predators. I also have a large run with a solid roof and a huge old style quince bush in the pen with other plantings that give the birds aerial predator cover and two roosters to sound alerts. I've had no losses to aerial predators and one known strike by a red-tailed hawk. No one was injured due to the availability of cover.

 

[Duckfarmer1]

You could put up 2x4 wire fencing on T-posts with insulators on the outside of the posts for electric wire. I'd position the hot wires at 6", 12" and 18" and charge them with a good fence charger. I use a 10,000 volt/1.2 Joule output charger on 42" high poultry netting. For a more permanent and sturdy fence you could sink wood posts on the corners.

The chickens don't fly out of the 42" high fence because they prefer to fly up to a solid surface then fly over. There is no solid surface atop netting or wire fencing. You wouldn't have to put up a 5' high fence. The gate, usually framed out in wood, on the other hand should be high as that is a common escape route.

I have found my electrified netting to be an excellent deterrent to ground predators. I also have a large run with a solid roof and a huge old style quince bush in the pen with other plantings that give the birds aerial predator cover and two roosters to sound alerts. I've had no losses to aerial predators and one known strike by a red-tailed hawk. No one was injured due to the availability of cover.

the Only negative I could possibly see with this plan would be cost...

 

[DobieLover]

the Only negative I could possibly see with this plan would be cost...

I couldn't think of a less expensive, relatively decent looking fence that would be 650' long.
I have poultry netting enclosing 1/3 acre with wood posts set on the corners. It was not inexpensive.