How to keep chickens inside a 4' fence?

[ColoradoMike]

We've provided our three hens with a well ventilated coop and a secure 44 sq. ft. run. We like to let them out into a fenced 'chicken yard' when we're home and vigilant (or at least when our golden retriever is out in the yard, being vigilant). Trouble is, it seems that two of our hens aren't satisfied with the ~400 sq. ft. 'chicken yard'. Our California White and Barred Rock like to get out of the 'chicken yard' and forage around the rest of the back yard. This isn't a huge deal during the late fall/winter months, except for the mess they make scratching around in our flower gardens and scattering mulch in the grass.

So, I'm hoping to try and keep them in the 'chicken yard' without covering the whole thing - this is expecially crucial this time of year, with flowers and things beginning to sprout and really critical once we get our veggie garden in the ground...

My initial idea is to install some sort of 'whiskers' along the top of the 4' gate they hop up on. By 'whiskers' I mean those things that are used to discourage pigeons from roosting/nesting on building ledges. Has anyone tried those to discourage chickens?

I'm going to start with the easiest/cheapest option and slowing escalate my efforts until I find someting that works. I'd love to hear about anyone elses experience with trying to contain wayward birds within a 4' fence...

 

[happyhensny]

Only have big, fat, heavy birds. They can't fly.

Kidding aside, we had Hamburgs, they fly very high and are fast; we have Brahmas, BO, BA, etc. No fly. As a family, we decided we like big girls.

 

[txchickie]

Quote:
Agreed! LOL My EE's have one wing trimmed and they were still flying out of their 6ft dog kennel run

A net is the only thing that keeps them from flying out...
My BCMarans are fatties and no way could they get over a 4ft fence.

 

[ColoradoMike]

Here's a picture of the 'chicken yard' that we're working with...

 

[j3707]

ColoradoMike -

To save $$ I put up 4 foot fencing on a couple pens and then extended it up a couple more feet with t-posts and either 1) fishing line (effective, but too visible) or 2) black bird netting (so far effective and BIG plus is that it's nearly invisible when you're a ways away from it.)

I also clipped one wing which made them much more reluctant to leave the ground. Now, my Leghorns still COULD get over the 6-7 foot height, but 99% of the time they don't bother.

So if they're not already clipped, do one wing. The whisker idea sounds good, but if you need to go further, think about getting 7 or 8 foot tall t-posts, driving them in at maybe 10 foot intervals and add height with black bird netting.

 

[j3707]

Nice looking chicken yard by the way!

 

[chicks4kids]

I have found that if there is a top rail or a wooden top, that gives them a goal. They'll jump up onto that, then jump right out. On the fencing that is strictly only fencing, they don't even bother trying.

Edited to say that I think that their escape route is the top of the door.

 

[mdbokc]

You can add a lot of height invisibly using 7' deer netting from Lowe's $12 per 100' roll). Stain and use 1x2s to staple the netting to the posts. You can only see the posts. Works great.

You can't see it.


Then you can.



Agree, very nice looking chicken yard.

 

[maplesky7]

genius!

 

[gsim]

Quote:
I have 4 breeds and a 6 ft tall welded wire fence around a 2000 sq ft run. They do not fly out of it, but there is no top rail to invite them as a perch either. Exception is the gate, but so far no attempts on it. The run is not just big, but there are perches everywhere and 2 dust bath areas, and a pile of compost and a nice long roost under the coop at one end, so it could be that they are content to just stay in. Still, it may be that the absence of a top rail is what is keeping mine in. I know my runt barred rock that is also lame flew to the top of a 5 ft tall chicken wire fence that surrounds my garden. She was in the garden with me and just kept looking towards the run and her flock-mates. She actually perched on top of the chicken wire after jumping up there!