Fencing material

[Puget Sounder FC]

I am starting on the run design and need help on the best fencing material. I must be able to keep out 100# dog, a clan of raccoons and opossums.

 

[Schroeder]

If you don't have to pinch pennies, 1/2 in x 1/2 in hardware cloth is your best bet. You can buy it in widths of 2, 3 or 4 ft. I had Ace hardware special order me 100 ft rolls. Then use a roller to paint it all black or otherwise the light reflection makes it hard to see into.

 

[Farmer Brown]

Quote:
I agree this is what you should use. Look around farm supply stores where you would buy livestock and tractor supplies they should have the larger rolls for a good price.

 

[azrc]

I made mine out of a free chainlink fence that I got off of craigslist and wrapped it in chicken wire used for stuccoing at the hardware store (a lot cheaper than in the fencing section for some reason)

 

[gumpsgirl]

I used 2 x 4 fencing on for the top 5 to 6 feet and the small grid hardware cloth for the bottom 2 feet. I also covered the top with bird netting. My husband also added an old trampoline mat to the top of the run for shade. It works pretty good too!

I also want to say,

!

 

[Puget Sounder FC]

Thank you for all the assistance!

 

[coffeelady3]

Welcome to a few T-town person. There's a few of of on here!

 

[Chirpy]

I totally agree that hardware cloth is always the best option.

However, if money is an issue then use the 2x4 woven wire if possible, otherwise 2x4 welded wire. Just remember that raccoons and even some cats have been known to reach through the wire, grab a chicken and pull it out so that's why you want to have another smaller holed fence going around the bottom of the fencing up to a height of about 2 feet. Hardware cloth there is a great option otherwise you can use 1" chicken wire. And, bury that wire at least 15 to 18 inches into the ground to stop diggers.

My 100 lb. dog easily goes through chain link fencing so I, personally, wouldn't use it for my chickens. Other people have used it with no problems but they apparently haven't had a BIG dog wanting through theirs!

 

[gumpsgirl]

Quote:
That is why I recommended that the hardware cloth be used around the bottom and the 2x4 welded wire used around the top. The 2 ft. of hardware cloth will prevent any little predator paws from reaching in and grabbing the chickens and the 2x4 welded wire is so much stronger than chicken wire. Chicken wire is only made to keep chickens in. It won't keep anything out, no matter how far you bury it.

If a 100 dog wants the chickens that bad, I'm afraid there's not much of anything that is going to keep him out.

 

[Omran]

Quote:
The best if you can afford it is the 14 gage welded wire 1/2"x1/2" that will keep all preditors out unless they have a bolt cutter or a sawzaw

, I have welded wire on my run and it is high about $275 for 100' roll but it worth it.

good luck.

Omran