Huge Chicken Coop

[MrPepers]

Does anyone have experience making a large run for a chicken coop? Something like 50'x50'. I want it to be completely fenced in with chicken wire, including the top. Has anyone built something of this size? I would love any advice you may have.

 

[perchie.girl]

Does anyone have experience making a large run for a chicken coop? Something like 50'x50'. I want it to be completely fenced in with chicken wire, including the top. Has anyone built something of this size? I would love any advice you may have.

I will be building something similar.... 25 x 50... Chicken wire is a no go... though.

I will be doing welded wire fence with some vertical posts with basket balls on top then throwing Aviary netting over the top.... you still have to bring your birds in to a secure coop at night.

deb

 

[MrPepers]

Mine will be fully enclosed with chicken wire. Predator proof.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Mine will be fully enclosed with chicken wire. Predator proof.

Chicken wire is to keep chickens in, it will not keep out predators. It is too thin.

Gary

 

[MrPepers]

Chicken wire is to keep chickens in AND keep predators out. It is the best wire to use for a chicken enclosure.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Chicken wire is to keep chickens in AND keep predators out. It is the best wire to use for a chicken enclosure.

No it is not heavy enough metal to keep out a dog or a raccoon or bobcat or just about anything else. Mice can squeeze in, so can snakes. You want hardware cloth 1/2 inch openings.
Good luck

Gary

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Chicken wire is to keep chickens in AND keep predators out. It is the best wire to use for a chicken enclosure.

This is actually incorrect. Poultry netting/chicken wire is ineffective against even the smallest of predators as it is easily bent, stretched or pulled/chewed apart. Poultry netting alone will not protect your birds. You can combine out with heavier gauge wire, electric wire, etc and have a secure enclosure.

 

[Chickassan]

If you had chicken wire from twenty years ago you might be ok, but the wire now is hot garbage. Definitely need the hardware cloth.

 

[MrPepers]

No it is not heavy enough metal to keep out a dog or a raccoon or bobcat or just about anything else. Mice can squeeze in, so can snakes. You want hardware cloth 1/2 inch openings.
Good luck

Gary

This is actually incorrect. Poultry netting/chicken wire is ineffective against even the smallest of predators as it is easily bent, stretched or pulled/chewed apart. Poultry netting alone will not protect your birds. You can combine out with heavier gauge wire, electric wire, etc and have a secure enclosure.

You must be inexperienced using chicken wire. It will keep predators from skunks to bobcats and dogs out. It is cheaper than hardware cloth, is easier to install, and is more readily available.

 

[MrPepers]

If you had chicken wire from twenty years ago you might be ok, but the wire now is hot garbage. Definitely need the hardware cloth.

I have chicken wire that is 14 years old and still going strong. It is the same gauge and style of newer chicken wire. I have also used newer chicken wire and it isn't any different.