Free Ranging v. Enclosed in a large run v. semi-enclosed

[calebc311]

I've heard a lot about free ranging chickens v. enclosing them in a run.

If I were to construct a run, I could make it L 14" W 15" H 5" but that would require some spending (If someone knew around how much it would cost to build a wooden frame and chicken wire of that size that would be great).

If I were to let them free range, they have the entire backyard but my mother has plants that need protection and there are many hawks and cats around our area.

A third option I have is building a fence with chicken wire across the narrow end of my backyard that leads to the larger grass area under a tree. I imagine the fence running from the fence to our house with fishing line across the top. This would require some more planning and I'm not sure if it's safe.

If any ideas and/or advice is available, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you.

 

[Duckopolis]

I like your third idea. What size chicken wire would you use?

 

[JackE]

I used to free-range, got away with it for just over a year, before the fox discovered the flock. Lost a bunch in two separate daytime attacks. The answer for me was/is electrified poultry net. I got my fence from Premier. They are a really good company, with fast shipping (Free with orders over $100), and helpful on the phone if needed. I bought 300' of it to start off. It worked out so well, I bought 300' more. I have another 50' on the way this week, I'm going to reconfigure the safe area, so my birds can get into one of my gardens and work it over for me. You can enclose a MUCH larger area for waaaaay cheaper with this electric fence, than if you were to build a wood framed, hardware cloth fence/run. You can power the fence with household electric, or solar if you want. It is easily moveable, if you want.
I have all kinds of ground and airborne preds, even eagles. Inside the run/safe area, my birds have the coop, along with a big brushy area to hide in if the hawks come around. So they have not even been a big problem. But without the fence, the fox would just wipe everything out. The fence has been one of the best things I have done for my chickens. They can come out everyday, and wander around a pretty big area, safe from the fox, and the occasional stray dog that comes around every now and again. I had a dog just last weekend, discover how painful in excess of 7000Vs to the nose can be. I heard him yelp, looked out the window to see him beating a hasty retreat from the yard. Love that fence.

 

[cochin lover]

I agree with the last post. electric netting is the best idea. your own opinion really.

 

[calebc311]

I don't plan to spend more than 100 but great idea!

I will probably look for a standard fence and figure something out.

 

[centrarchid]

You will be investing a couple hundred dollars in fencing and fasteners alone for the enclosed run of size specified.


Have you considered a chicken tractor? I use a lot of little 4' x 5" units with 2" x 4" wire fencing attached to a treated wood base. They can each house 3 birds very comfortably and are easy to move. Problem is materials will cost more than $100 because of minimum lot size for fencing.

 

[bobbi-j]

If you want to build a run or fence of any size, I'm thinking it's going to cost you more than $100. Chicken wire may be cheap, but it will not protect your chickens from any kind of determined predator. Raccoons, dogs and other animals can rip that stuff wide open. You can get 1/2" hardware cloth, but that's expensive. We use 2"x 4" welded wire with hardware cloth around the bottom 2' to keep the smaller chicks in. The welded wire won't keep a mink or weasel out, but will keep out raccoons, possums, skunks, dogs, and hawks. (We have it over the top of both 12' x 16' runs.) For the most part, my chickens free range but are locked up if we're going to be gone for any length of time, or when family is visiting with their dogs, or if I have new chickens and I want to orient them to a certain coop. If you'd like to free range, maybe you could put some chicken wire around your mom's plants? (It's great for containing chickens, just not protecting them). The thing to remember about free ranging is, you will - at some time or another - suffer losses. Are you prepared for that?

 

[CuteChick369]

A compromise between the two would be to enclose a fenced in area, but don't put a roof on it. If you use chicken wire for the fencing, this would be under $100, as you don't have to frame the top part of the run. Bonus if you can build the run in a shaded area so they are hidden from hawks, and kept cool in the summer. We live in town and have a chain link fenced in yard. We built a chicken run with no roof that we put them in if we have to leave the house, otherwise they free range in our back yard. We built the fence 6 feet tall and no one has tried to fly over. You can clip their flight feathers if they do try to fly over (personal opinion...some don't agree with that). Then, when you are home with them, let them free range around the yard with you. A lot of people do this, and let them out an hour or two before sunset, when they can commit to watching the flock and know the flock will go back into the run at sundown.

Good luck!

 

[calebc311]

@CuteChick369 , great idea! I'm thinking about getting some cheaper stucco netting for a run with no roof. I plan to build the run under a couple trees that will shade them from hawks (I'll have fishing line across the top just in case). I'm estimating around $50-$75 at most. Thanks!

 

[Cindy in PA]

I know you can build a 4 foot welded wire fence in the 14 by 15 size for around $100 dollars. 100 feet of fence at TSC is $69.99 regularly and on sale for $59.99 right now. If you bought about 8- 5 ft posts & started by attaching to your coop, it would hit around $100. This is for light duty 5 ft posts & 100 feet of fence is actually too much. I used to be able to get 50ft of the same fence for under $40, which should be just enough for what you are looking for. I don't see it at TSC right now. Another $20 would get you 7 ft. wide by 100ft long deer netting to go over the top, which will give you extra for when snow or something breaks the light netting in the future. Now this will not be built like Ft. Knox, but if you wanted to add an apron later to the bottom, you could when finances allow. I have used this system for 21 years & have only had one predator get in & that is because I did not close the coop at night for awhile & the birds were out at daybreak. It is more secure than free ranging. Sometimes you can find fencing on Craigslist. You could also look for kennel panels on craigslist & build with 6 foot high dog kennel panels. I have gotten some really cheap & others not so much. A 10 by 10 panel kennel would give you almost the room you want by attaching two panels to your coop & then attaching the other to in a V to use all 4 panels & keep them upright. Hope this helps.