Has anyone used chicken wire for their run??

[dmhoob]

and had the chickens be OK????

I have read over and over again how hardware cloth is the way to go and I was all set to use it......untill I saw the price

I want the gals to be safe, so i think I know what i will have to do, but just wanted to check in to see if anybody had used chicken wire and had no problems.

 

[jerseygirl1]

I was too scared, we used hardware cloth.............and that instant fencing frm Home Depot............the green fencing with the posts

 

[kateseidel]

My two cents - people have used chicken wire for a long time, successfully. Now, successfully may mean (I think) that they are willing to take the loss that might occur. I also think that in many cases, there are "back-ups" to the chicken wire that prevent heavy predation, such as loose dogs that patrol the area and keep out the worst of the predators.

I did realize that my initial calculation was wrong when I was planning - I was calculating square feet of coverage and forgot to convert to linear feet of 36" wire, so my cost estimate dropped by 1/3. Still pricey, but not as bad as I had thought!

I do have a small area of chicken wire, but there is lattice work in front of that section screwed into the wood. Honestly, I figure if a raccoon is good enough to get through it, he probably deserves a chicken dinner!

 

[chaoschicken]

I use chicken wire on my run but my girls are behind a six foot vinyl fence patrolled by three dogs.

Not sure I'd use it if not for that fence as there are coyotes, skunks, eagles, hawks and other wildlife running around outside the fence or over head.


Good luck with your coop plans and may the girls be safe and happy.


K.

 

[babyblue]

we used change link with chicken wire over the bottom 3 feet, hits the ground and comes out in a 2 foot apron. has worked well for us.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Yes of course, lots of people are using chickenwire and had no problems.... YET.

That last word is the kicker, though.

BY DEFINITION, you don't have a problem til you have a problem. When it does occur, though, it involves blood and dismemberment and the need for replacing part or all of your flock.

You cannot realistically predict when a predator will test your fence. Some people have had chickenwire up for years and years and years and nothing has ever challenged it; other people have it up for two nights and BANG no more chickens. You just don't know. It's "loose dog and raccoon roulette", so to speak.

If you're ok with that, and with the knowledge that chickenwire does not stop most predators that sincerely want "in", then by all means use it.

If you would be distressed at losing some or all of your flock, though, and want to avoid it, I would HIGHLY recommend NOT using chickenwire. Contrary to what some on this forum promulgate, hardwarecloth (=spendy!) is NOT the only alternative -- there is a lot to be said for 1x1 mesh, or heavy gauge 2x4 wire mesh or good-quality chainlink with something smaller-mesh added to the bottom 2-3' (for the added smaller mesh, even chickenwire or 1/2" plastic garden netting is pretty decent security, as all you're trying to do is prevent or slow down reach-through).

JMHO, good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[turtlebird]

We used 2"x4" welded wire for our run. Used 48" chicken wire on the bottom - 2 ft above the ground along side the welded wire, and 2 ft buried as an apron. The ladies are locked up tight in their coop at night. If you don't shut the coop door, I wouldn't use anything other than hardware cloth.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

I used hardware cloth on the bottom 3' and chicken wire about that. I've also planted prickley rose bushes around the perimeter. So far it has worked okay, but I understand that it is not foolproof. I lock the chickens in their wooden coops at night as the threat of predators is greater around here at night. My coop is also about 15' away from my backyard of very barky dogs. It is sort of a multi-pronged approach to protection.

 

[hetty]

We used 1/2 inch mesh which is very tuff for foxes to bite though, it has worked so far the fox living in the garden next door has not got though it

 

[FarmerJamie]

From my experience this morning, just say "no" to chicken wire only. It only takes one night to ruin your year.