Fencing recommendations

[hockeygirl56]

I'm going to be putting up my chicken coop as soon as the weather around here cooperates, and I want to get some opinions on the best plan of action to making my run predator-proof. My "coop" is going to be a 10'x14' shed, with a 6' leanto off the side. The chickens will be living in the leanto, which I can get into from the shed. I plan on having the run attach to the leanto, running the 14' length so that it attaches at the ends. Not sure yet how far out I will have my run go - I only have 6 chickens at this point, but I want to make sure I accomodate for if I want to add on in the future - any suggestions on how much room I should give them would be great. I want to make the fencing 6' high so I can easily get in to clean or just hang out with them - I will have a door that opens from the leanto into the run area. I don't want to put a door attached to the run b/c I feel like that would be a good spot for someone to dig underneath and get in.
So my questions would be:
What type of fencing is best? I am hearing welded wire along with hardware cloth. How far up do I need to put the hardware cloth? Is the main purpose of that to make it small enough so no chickens can escape?
How far down should I dig the fence into the ground to prevent diggers from getting in? We plan on cementing for the floor of the shed/coop, so would it be best to run cement along the outer lines of the run down in the ground? I don't want to go overboard, esp if I ever change where the run is, so I don't know if this is too much.
What is the fencing apron that I'm hearing about? What is it made of/how is it situated? And is it better than burying the actual fence or best to do along with burying the fence?
I want to put a top on the run as well, so no one can climb over/fly into it. I was thinking of just doing the welded wire again, but I think I read somewhere you want protection from the elements, esp in the winter if you want them to be able to go out then too. What is everyone's opinion on what to use for that?
One more thought I was having - if I make my run safe, with the layout I'm having, can I just leave the chicken door open at night so they can go out in the AM when they want to (b/c I like to sleep and I'm not great at getting up when they would want me up)? I may work on doing the automatic door thing in the future, but if I can just leave the door open and be safe I might go with that option instead.
Thanks for all the info! We live in the country and we know we have possum, skunk, and coons around, so I want to make them as safe as possible!

 

[Bengalcats1]

I think you can find all your answers looking over old posts in this section, fencing has been gone over MANY times....there is a lot of good info on what to use, what not to use etc

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
As much as you can stand to build.

I want to make the fencing 6' high so I can easily get in to clean or just hang out with them - I will have a door that opens from the leanto into the run area. I don't want to put a door attached to the run b/c I feel like that would be a good spot for someone to dig underneath and get in.

It can be real convenient to have a door thru the run fencing, although as long as you can get a wheelbarrow thru the door from the shed it is not *essential*. It is no more difficult to digproof than any other part of the fence. Personally I like a coupla 24" pavers just outside the door, because in addition to digproofing it also protects it from getting muddy; but just yer plain wire apron would do fine, too.

What type of fencing is best? I am hearing welded wire along with hardware cloth. How far up do I need to put the hardware cloth? Is the main purpose of that to make it small enough so no chickens can escape?

Best depends on tastes/goals/budget. Hardwarecloth up to 3' is good, but there are options depending on tastes/goals/budget. Main purpose of running the small mesh stuff along lower part of fence is to prevent things going thru fence (baby chicks, heads of chickens reaching for grass outside run, arms of predators reaching for snoozing chickens inside run).

How far down should I dig the fence into the ground to prevent diggers from getting in?

18" for good security. Consequently an apron is a lot easier, 2-3+' wide depending on your situation, see other threads for instructions and specs.

We plan on cementing for the floor of the shed/coop, so would it be best to run cement along the outer lines of the run down in the ground?

No.

What is the fencing apron that I'm hearing about? What is it made of/how is it situated?

Sorry, I've typed that out so many times I am taking a break for a few hours LOL, try looking at other threads

And is it better than burying the actual fence or best to do along with burying the fence?

Basically equivalent for most purposes, if done right. (Is better than a shallowly buried run fence, in fact)

I want to put a top on the run as well, so no one can climb over/fly into it. I was thinking of just doing the welded wire again, but I think I read somewhere you want protection from the elements, esp in the winter if you want them to be able to go out then too. What is everyone's opinion on what to use for that?

Solid roof is nice but not esssential. Solid roof is fairly expensive, esp. in areas with snowload to worry about. If you use wire top, make sure it too is built for snowload to a lesser degree (or equal degree, if hardwarecloth).

if I make my run safe, with the layout I'm having, can I just leave the chicken door open at night so they can go out in the AM when they want to

Yes, you certainly can, but it increases your chances of going out one morning and finding bloody piles of feathers. It is far far easier to be sure your run is 100% predatorproof than to have it BE 100% predatorproof. Go browse the Predators and Pests section threads ('something killed all my chickens last night') if you don't believe me

So it's up to you. If you're going to leave the popdoor open I'd at least suggest an all-hardwarecloth run with VERY good digproofing.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat​