I have 2 coops. One of the 2 is 6'x6' and has an attached run fully encased in 1/2 x 1/2 hardware cloth. This will house my pedigree Ameraucanas. The other coop will be 8'x20' and will house at various times Freedom Rangers and assorted layers/duel purpose breeds. Instead of a run to surround the larger coop I'm planning to fence an area 100' x 150' within which will be both coops. This will be a free range area. I have plenty of space and predators, but living next to a forested area, and having the coop close to the house, I can't just let them free range without any confinement.
I'm thinking 2"x4" welded wire, 5 ft high.. Treated corner posts and treated posts every 25 ft. T posts between the wooden posts spaced 5 ft apart. I'll run an electric wire aound the fence a few inches off the ground and another about half way up. I'll have some leanto structures for the chickens to hide from hawks but I know I will occassionally lose a bird. I will close them in at night, but the Freedom Rangers would have a shelter not predator proof.
What have I forgotten? Is this overkill? I'd like to save money, but I'm hoping the fence will last 20 years. I've never run fence before but am pretty handy. I know to use a fence stretcher and a come along.
I'm thinking 2"x4" welded wire, 5 ft high.. Treated corner posts and treated posts every 25 ft. T posts between the wooden posts spaced 5 ft apart. I'll run an electric wire aound the fence a few inches off the ground and another about half way up. I'll have some leanto structures for the chickens to hide from hawks but I know I will occassionally lose a bird. I will close them in at night, but the Freedom Rangers would have a shelter not predator proof.
What have I forgotten? Is this overkill? I'd like to save money, but I'm hoping the fence will last 20 years. I've never run fence before but am pretty handy. I know to use a fence stretcher and a come along.
