Height of “free range “fenc

Calabogie chicken lady

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i have an area 30 feet x 30 feet for my 12 chickens to free range when i am around. I presently have it enclosed with snow fencing. Only to keep the chickens in..there is no netting on the top. I am going to put a new fence up as it is quite ugly looking so i will buy actual chicken fencing. Question how high should it be inorder to keep them in.i leave the run door open so they can run in if spooked or feel threatened.i was up on the roof of the coop yesterday and one flew up beside me which is 7 feet high. My current fence is 4 feet high and they do not seem to want to venture over the top, i hope it will never try to fly up again if no one is up there.
 
My yard has 6ft high privacy fencing. My birds haven't even tried to leave. But then I have big breeds who aren't much for flying, anyway.

I have read that it depends on a few factors. If you have smaller chickens that do get some air, a taller fence might be needed. I've also read that if the birds have enough to do on your side of the fence, they won't need to go elsewhere and will be less likely to fly over. And, of course, predators in your area play into fence height decisions. My 6ft fence is fine for me because I don't have an abundance of climbing predators in my area. My biggest concern are hawks. A covered area is more important for me than a tall fence.
 
If your chickens are full grown and average to heavier breeds then 5-6' should be plenty. I have a 30' x 50' fenced area that they "range" in when I'm home. My dog would likely kill them if they ever got out.
Along the back where the tree line is the fence is 6' high. Along the front and sides I made it 4' high to save some money and for aesthetics. Then I ran two strands of black wire at 4'6" and at 5'. You can't see it unless you're up close, and it's too wobbly for a chicken to perch on. None of my girls have ever attempted to escape, even the one who flys up on my shoulder to get treats.
I'm starting to integrate 3 new chicks though, they're the ones I'll be concerned about. For the next few months if they get spooked they may decide that safety is the other side of the fence instead of the coop.
 
My fence is 6 foot and they've only gone that high (higher actually, the shed roof) once when they were still "teens." lol
 

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