How tall should my run be?

[tjaring]

i am about to head to Lowe’s to get fencing. Is three feet high tall enough??

 

[nminusyplusm]

Welcome to BYC!

You have 9 chickens? Each one should have a minimum of 10 sq ft of run so something like 10' x 9'. That's a lot of area that you should be able to access. Make it tall enough for you to walk in, like 6 ft tall at least.

 

[townchicks]

I agree, if you have the option, make it walk in height. Makes life so much easier.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I used 5 foot high welded wire fence. No roof or netting. Kept in my brown egg layers. Will not keep in leghorns or other light weight chickens.
3 foot high fence will not keep most chickens from flying out without netting or a roof. GC

 

[tjaring]

Welcome to BYC!

You have 9 chickens? Each one should have a minimum of 10 sq ft of run so something like 10' x 9'. That's a lot of area that you should be able to access. Make it tall enough for you to walk in, like 6 ft tall at least.

Yes, 9 chickens. I originally bought everything I needed for a 6ft run but I was told that a shorter one would do...which my pocket book likes
I’m not really planning on covering the run.
Also, I planned on doing 8ft by 20ft

 

[tjaring]

I used 5 foot high welded wire fence. No roof or netting. Kept in my brown egg layers. Will not keep in leghorns or other light weight chickens.
3 foot high fence will not keep most chickens from flying out without netting or a roof. GC

Ok. I have two silkies. The rest are heavy breeds.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Ok. I have two silkies. The rest are heavy breeds.

I don't have experience with silkies or other bantams. GC

 

[nminusyplusm]

Yes, 9 chickens. I originally bought everything I needed for a 6ft run but I was told that a shorter one would do...which my pocket book likes
I’m not really planning on covering the run.
Also, I planned on doing 8ft by 20ft

If the top is open then 3' is definitely too short.

 

[Folly's place]

Don't waste money on three foot tall fencing. It won't keep birds in, or predators out.
Silkies can't really fly, so they may stay in. Other birds aren't likely to respect that fencing.
Good electric fencing is a good choice; look at Howard E's threads, and premier1supplies.com is a good source of supplies and information.
At least six feet tall, or taller, and at least deer netting over the top. Minimum.
Mary

 

[Toothpick]

I have a leghorn and astralorp that fly over a 5ft fence. It’s probalby closer to 5.5. It’s a 6ft fence but I have the bottom bent out about 4-5 inches.