Ideal run fence

[Ruralhideaway]

They will be in a 9 x 20 coop at night always. I've had daytime mink attacks before(in the aisle of my horse barn on free range birds) so still think HC is needed?

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Would electric poultry netting be rendered useless in 2ft or more of snow? If not I could use that surrounding any fence really to stop almost anything from getting to the actual fence.

 

[Cryss]

Thanks! But wait weasels and mink will easily pop through the 1 x 2. I'd thought do it all in 1/4 or 1/2 then lower down in 2 x 4 with electric to keep climbers from the top. I'm beginning to think there's just no way to do this without spending much more than I can.

Hmmmm...maybe I'm missing something. Weasels and fishers can easily get through 2X4 wire so I don't use it. Not sure about 1X2, didn't think they'd get through. On the bottom i use 1/2 inch hardware because a racoon could reach through 1X2 and rop a chickens head off. I understand electric eire could possibly prevent that but if the power cut out for any reason I would want hardware cloth.
I should add that my power does go off often where I live. And I'm surrouned by trees so solar isnt always viable.

 

[OzarkF&G]

Here we don't get minks, but we have coons, possums, yotes, and dogs. I use 16' cow panels that have the smaller holes at the bottom and move up to 4 or 6" squares up top. I use them as the lower panel all the way around the runs. Prior to staking that onto the posts, I stretch chicken wire now for everything. The main run is welded wire 2x4 but that stuff is expensive. HC is horribly expensive. if you can swing an 80x30 run with all HC, then good on ya.
For coons, smooth metal is the ultimate foil. I am making a cat feeder that essentially is just a 3' tall post with a dog house on top. wrap the post in flashing metal, coons can't climb it. cat food goes in the house and we can go on vacation...

Don't see why the metal flashing wouldn't work for the bottom of your fence though? The last roll I bought was 18" I believe and at 50' it was around 18$. Just another option to put out there.

 

[OzarkF&G]

forgot to mention, putting fencing underground is akin to just cutting it off. It will rot/rust faster than it will protect anything.
Go to the local tire shop, ask for used bald tires, if they want you to pay, go somewhere else. They pay to dispose of them so you taking them is a godsend.
Put those around your run laying flat. Fill them with dirt, really pack it in there, then add all the herbs you like. I put mint in every other tire, and then all the basics, rosemary, basil, etc.
It will prevent diggers, boost your anti-insect capability, and you get fresh herbs. win/win.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Would electric poultry netting be rendered useless in 2ft or more of snow? If not I could use that surrounding any fence really to stop almost anything from getting to the actual fence.

There are some very devoted fans of hot wire in the forums. Here's one discussion that's been on the 'Popular' tab in the sidebar for a while:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/dogs-and-electric-fences.1210854/

I think there's also an article here and lots more discussions. They'll be able to answer your question, and it's a good one.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

I've got my evenings reading all lined up now.

Thanks for the suggestions on the flashing and tires.

I'm cringing at the HC expense but the barn wall is one side. So that helps. I guess I just hate adding the expense of 2 x 4 or 1x 2(very pricey) to that. Also considering going down to a plan that requires just 100 ft of fence. Probably still be big enough for them. Still pricey.

 

[OzarkF&G]

We have ours broke down to normal large fowl in a 30x25 covered with a horsestall coop and a free standing 6x8 coop. the silkies have a seperate stall and a covered 12 x 25 run. the large fowl all free range, im working on getting a large section of the pasture separated with farm fence 4x4 woven, about 100' per side for the silkies.

I think your plan is fine, just piece it together cost wise. its your budget do what ya want. easy spending other peoples money...

 

[Ruralhideaway]

I'm great at spending other people's money! Including the banks that give me credit cards.

Kidding aside though I really do want safety. I don't want to cheap it and regret it, but no one likes to overspend either. I'm going to do some reading later about electric. Power outages here are rare these days. Maybe I could arrange flashing to prevent coyotes ripping through low and only need to do hardware cloth.

 

[mpoland33]

I so badly want to start my coop build but it’s freezing out and I have to wait until there’s no snow on the ground to get the lumber from my aunt.

I just started mine today...in my basement...built the main floor frame. It's limited to what I can do and still be able to lift and move it easily....but I'm trying...it hasn't gone above freezing here in 2 weeks...thats a long time in MD...I'm ready to start outdoors!