I need help!

[trumpeting_angel]

I’ve noticed that fewer things are listed on Craigslist around here. Everybody seems to be using Facebook marketplace. So check there, too.

Good luck! I recently moved to Vermont from the Northampton area.

 

[NewChickenmama06]

I saw a panel run on craigslist but it is in Albany. Even if it isn't an option it will give you an idea.
https://albany.craigslist.org/grd/d/petersburg-rugged-ranch-kennel/6928239621.html

Ok, I've seen these before. This is exactly what I was looking for, unfortunately its over an hour away.

 

[NewChickenmama06]

I’ve noticed that fewer things are listed on Craigslist around here. Everybody seems to be using Facebook marketplace. So check there, too.

Good luck! I recently moved to Vermont from the Northampton area.

Thanks! I have been looking on FB marketplace as well. I think it has a lot more options then Craigslist for sure.

 

[D-Bar-B]

You say your chickens are flying over the fence? Have you clipped their wing feathers? That might be a deterrent till you get some more run space. (some folks offer a good argument against wing clipping, as it is a decision with drawbacks) there are instructions for how to clip, can be googled.
Lots of times young hens still don't have their adult weight, but have their adult feathers. And they can get some pretty good height with them. Some birds are just built slimmer, as well. Less weight, better flight.
Or, as a stop-gap measure, can you add some wire or even string about a foot up from the highest fence wire? Or string strung across the top, to give the illusion of a wire ceiling.

I agree with wing clipping. Unfortunately, I didn't clip mine soon enough and one of my Campines (15 weeks old) caught enough wind in a dust storm last week to get over the fence in our back yard and I haven't seen her again. I usually have a friend come over to help me clip, but since he's unavailable...I just told hubby that we will have to do it ourselves and SOON!

 

[NewChickenmama06]

I agree with wing clipping. Unfortunately, I didn't clip mine soon enough and one of my Campines (15 weeks old) caught enough wind in a dust storm last week to get over the fence in our back yard and I haven't seen her again. I usually have a friend come over to help me clip, but since he's unavailable...I just told hubby that we will have to do it ourselves and SOON!

Oh no! I'm sorry.

 

[slippednfell]

I haven't read through all the posts, so I may be repeating something someone already said (if so, my apologies).

We use dog kennel panels to make our run. It is 6' high, 20' long and about 12' wide.

You can get a 10x10 set up for about $325 at TS or farm store. Or you can check FaceBook market place/Craigslist for a used one that is in fairly good condition for less than that. We have a 10 x 20 for our two dogs when they want outside time. We have a 10 x 20 for our ducks and the one for our chickens mentioned above and we have a 10 x 10 around our bee hives because a bear was sampling the honey. (The fence deterred it so far.) We have a couple panels left over. Netting over the top will keep them from flying out and help keep flying predators out.

 

[NewChickenmama06]

I haven't read through all the posts, so I may be repeating something someone already said (if so, my apologies).

We use dog kennel panels to make our run. It is 6' high, 20' long and about 12' wide.

You can get a 10x10 set up for about $325 at TS or farm store. Or you can check FaceBook market place/Craigslist for a used one that is in fairly good condition for less than that. We have a 10 x 20 for our two dogs when they want outside time. We have a 10 x 20 for our ducks and the one for our chickens mentioned above and we have a 10 x 10 around our bee hives because a bear was sampling the honey. (The fence deterred it so far.) We have a couple panels left over. Netting over the top will keep them from flying out and help keep flying predators out.

It's all good, people have mentioned getting one. They seem reasonably priced. I did have an issue with the gate. It seems like it wd be very easy for a predator to get in. Also, if used as a run, would I try and fit the coop inside or cut a hole in it leading inside the coop?
I am including the link to the one I'm talking about.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...kennel-10-ft-l-x-5-ft-w-x-6-ft-h?cm_vc=IOPDP2

 

[21hens-incharge]

It's all good, people have mentioned getting one. They seem reasonably priced. I did have an issue with the gate. It seems like it wd be very easy for a predator to get in. Also, if used as a run, would I try and fit the coop inside or cut a hole in it leading inside the coop?
I am including the link to the one I'm talking about.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...kennel-10-ft-l-x-5-ft-w-x-6-ft-h?cm_vc=IOPDP2

There is a 10x10 at the bottom of that page for about $80 less. Twice as big and costs less.
I would get that one and put the coop inside it.
adding boards around the gate so they cover the gap and prevent push ins should work. Then hardware cloth the bottom 2' of the kennel sides to prevent reach ins.

Might want to think about how to make it so it cannot be pushed over......

 

[ScottyGill]

I never gave that a thought actually. I don't how comfortable I would feel about doing it myself.

We did that with ours that jumped over a very high wall. It was super easy and they could still run and fly a bit just not so high over the wall so I don’t think it’s too awful a thin to do, especially if there’s places for them to run too. I say this with the vast experience of 4 hens for 2 years but it had to be done. They were scaling 6ft fences. It hadn’t occurred to me this could happen. I know better now. Though I am in Scotland and we don’t have eagles or hawks to be fair in my area.

 

[NewChickenmama06]

There is a 10x10 at the bottom of that page for about $80 less. Twice as big and costs less.
I would get that one and put the coop inside it.
adding boards around the gate so they cover the gap and prevent push ins should work. Then hardware cloth the bottom 2' of the kennel sides to prevent reach ins.

Might want to think about how to make it so it cannot be pushed over......

I wish some of you lived near me lol!
I will check it out, the things you do for love of chickens sake!