Fencing options

[Lemon-Drop]

Any suggestions for fencing for my flock? I can't free range due to them wandering into neighbors' yards and predators, but I want to offer some more foraging space for them. And when they're not out in the yard, I'd also like some extra space for my Golden Retriever to run around.

Preferably it's affordable but also not incredibly ugly, and I'd be able to assemble it with the help of my family.

I know there's a lot of options out there and I'm looking for suggestions! It'd be fencing in about a third of an acre although I don't know the exact measurements.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hardware cloth, while pricey, has really come down the past few years. We went to buy some again and the same stuff was a third less than when we got it about 4-5 years ago! Not much can get through that and it's what most of us use. You may be better off getting the 3' x 100' roll and going up twice. You'd have to check around if that's what fencing you go with.

We're building four breeding pens with it and are going up 6' with the 3' rolls.

 

[Shadrach]

The type of fencing and it's strengths should be determined by the type of local predators there are. Hardware stapled onto wooden posts is unlikely to discourage a bear or even a determined fox. If hawks are common then some kind of wire as a roof is sensible and that will require sturdy posts to support it.
Work these basics out and I expect your options will narrow considerably.

 

[Seaslug]

Thinking about the types of predators you have is good advice. I would also think about when those predators are most active vs when your animals are going to use the fenced in area. Then decide what your acceptable/tolerable level of loss to predators may be.

Many people in our area allow their chickens to free range all day and we imagined doing the same. But we are suburban/rural, with all the types of predators that entails. So instead our chickens are only loose when we are outside with them, in the hope we will be able to react in a manner to save all/some of their lives if it comes down to it.

If that is your plan and your main concern is keeping your chickens out of your neighbor's yard, you could use chain link or the wooden rails with cattle panels against it to keep both the chickens and the dog confined. You would need to watch if you have chickens that can fly and retrieve any that get out. And all such a fence would do is give ground predators pause, not act as a prevention.

Our chickens are ending up spending more time in their run than I initially expected. It is completely covered in 1/2 to 1/4 hardware cloth. I hope to expand it soon, as each hen only has about 12 sq ft but they are much better protected from predators in their run. As for bears, they can rip doors off of automobiles. Nothing I am going to make is going to be that sturdy. They could get into our home if they wanted to, and they could get into the chicken's coop as well. But I feel I have done reasonably well on predator protection on their run.

 

[StinkyAcres]

I use welded wire and t-posts for permanent fences and netting for my moveable fences. Premier1 netting has been my go-to non-permanent fencing because of the affordability and ease of use. They have electric and non-electric options. Mine are not electrified and my chickens and ducks stay in and my dogs stay out.

https://www.premier1supplies.com/poultry/fencing.php

 

[texsuze]

My suggestion would be to carefully look at the location/size of your planned fenced area and select a material that will at least withstand your most prevalent predators and keep your pup contained. Go for the long game, not "just for now" when considering material and cost. Everything comes with a cost...

I have a 3 acre pasture fenced with 5' no-climb, woven, horse fence, just like this:
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/red-brand-horse-fence-60-in-x-100-ft

Since this was a permanent enclosure we used t-posts and metal pipe corner and line posts. Along the outer top all the way around I have a strand of electric tape which attaches to the t-post caps. Nobody has breached this enclosure in 16 years, although we don't have bears here. Diligence is required to secure holes under the fence dug by armadillos and bunnies. I'm horseless now but my chickens free-range in this pasture all day.

You could probably get away with wooden corner posts with this fencing. There are also fence corner kits that I think use t-posts as the corner braces. The electric tape discourages climbing critters. Best of luck with your project.