Fencing options

[lovemychix]

We just added on to our coop run and we used welded wire. It is a bit more expensive but I think it is worth it. we also buried 2 x 8 boards half way down into the ground and nailed the wire to that to secure nothing was getting in there.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
I would be realllll careful about it. (Well, actually I just plain wouldn't do it myself, but if *you're* going to do it then I'd suggest being realllll careful

)

First, you would have to stick with pallets that have very close spacing of slats - I wouldn't trust raccoons or foxes on anything narrower than 4" and even that is not an absolute guarantee. And second, you will want to inspect the fence closely, including wiggling on the slats with your hand, on a FREQUENT basis because different pallets rot out at different rates (in a way that, at least to me, is not always visually obvious which are going to be the 'losers') and as soon as the wood starts to rot around the nails, it becomes fairly easy for something to just rip its way right through.

I have a whole buncha pallets that I use in the barn for putting hay on, and outdoors for various things (or just stored outdoors), and I really wouldn't trust 'em for a fence that would have more than just decorative or windbreak function.

I wouldn't rely on chickenwire for the higher part of the fencing, either -- anything that can rip thrugh chickenwire will be able to reach above the level of the pallets and rip it apart *there*, too. Or just climb over or jump over.

So, I mean, it depends how seriously you want to keep predators out, but if the answer if 'fairly seriously' then you're better off looking for secondhand welded wire or used chainlink if that's what it takes to be affordable.

JMHO, good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Stamper]

Quote:
Wow, are bears really a problem for chickens? Yikes!

I never thought about how many reclaimed building materials there would be after a hurricane. We don't have hurricanes here but we are due for a HUGE earthquake anytime! It kills me how much stuff gets thrown away because of liability issues. I like in a town that LOVES to reuse things and the local university was renovating one of the buildings but they threw EVERYTHING away. When people started climbing in the dumpster to pull things out, they cut everything up into tiny pieces. It was very sad.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback!

 

[Stamper]

Quote:
Thanks!

I was actually thinking that I would cut the pallets in half and put all of the slats onto one side so that it more of a solid fence... does that make sense? Maybe I should put the pallets on the inside so that things wouldn't be able to climb up them.

Also, where are you getting chain link that is "affordable"????? It would cost me THOUSANDS of dollars to do chain link for the size run that I want to do.

Thanks for the ideas!

 

[Stamper]

So, I do have another question for you all... I was at the feed store today and he was saying that it's actually better to put a "skirt" around the fence rather than bury it. He said to bend out the bottom 12 inches or so and that would deter things better than burying....

Does this sound ok?

 

[KattyKillFish]

yep, it's better.

 

[Stamper]

Quote:
Cool! It seems so much easier too! Why has no one suggested this to me yet?

 

[KattyKillFish]

actually it didn't even cross my mind until you mentioned it... i've don't it lots of times but i guess it just slipped my mind.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
I like the skirt/apron approach much better than burial for most situations (it is wayyy easier, and you can keep an eye on it, and fairly easily replace it when rust gets too severe, yes even galvanized wire will rust, especially underground)... BUT I would for sure go more than 12". To my way of thinking, 18"-2' is pretty much a minimum (unless you are *forced* to have less, e.g. for a tractor) and if you know you have a serious fox or digging-dog problem then 4' is really a lot safer.

Have fun,

Pat

 

[Grammahen]

Do you just cover yours with bark mulch etc.?