How high the fence??

[EggyErin]

Wow, Ridgerunner, you do math! Not my forte. I'm leaning toward 5' welded wire and 1-2 electric wires around the bottom. I'll apron the bottom with hardware cloth. I've seen it done on top of the ground rather than buried and if that sounds workable will do that and anchor it with logs. I'll also hang up some CDs for frightening flash. Thanks for all your feedback! Let me know any other words of wisdom you all have!

 

[aart]

I'll apron the bottom with hardware cloth. I've seen it done on top of the ground rather than buried and if that sounds workable will do that and anchor it with logs.

1x2 or even 2x4 welded wire mesh is plenty for an apron outside the run and easier to lay flat. Depending on the soil and if you plan to mow the area, burying just a couple inches or pinning with landscape staples until grass grows back thru.

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1110498/wire-around-coop#post_17093528

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

 

[EggyErin]

Good links, aart. They were very helpful. I'm so glad I can do something an easier way. I won't be mowing since it's in the woods and I don't really care what grows through. Do I need to attach the apron wire to the fence wire or will running it up the side a few inches do the trick? I'll place logs around the base of the fence to keep the apron flat and hold it in place against the fence.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Attach it to the fence so nothing can push its way through and into the run. You can use hog rings, J-Clips, or just wire.

 

[EggyErin]

Thanks, Ridgerunner. I'll do that. This project is going to be a lot of work! That's a lot of little clips...and fence staples...and post holes....

 

[NotSoChickenLove]

My chickens got over anything they encountered when they were teenagers. Now they're grown up hens, they're less interested in what's over the fence. I'm sure they could still get over.

 

[aart]

Yes, a few inches up and attach.
I use the wire from the fencing for attaching.

When you cut your apron mesh leave some of excess wires long,
and use them to attach to wall.
If attaching to wooden wall bend excess wire into a loop that will fit screw and washer. Hope that makes sense, here's a rough sketch showing how to cut:

 

[EggyErin]

Is 2x4 welded okay or do I need to use 1x2 for the walls?

 

[aart]

Is 2x4 welded okay or do I need to use 1x2 for the walls?

Depends.
...on your predator load, if you're around a lot, if run is just for days or nights too, your level of risk tolerance.
I used 2x4 because I'm home 90% of the time within sight and/or hearing of the run,
so little chance of anything having the time to get thru. It's pretty tight but wouldn't stop something determined to get in. My most frequent predators are hawks and it's perfect for that.

 

[EggyErin]

Yard is just for days. Predators - hawks, raccoons, bobcats. I'm home a lot though sometimes I'm at the barn and not sure I would hear scuffles or get to them in time.