Ingenious old trick to prevent chickens from getting over a fence

[triplepurpose]

I shared this trick I learned on another discussion thread. But I since I found it so useful, simple, and easy to do that it really helped me out, and i haven't seen it elsewhere, i wanted to give it it's own thread so more folks might benefit.

It comes from the 1940s book Poultry and Rabbits on Scraps. It is used to make the fences of open-top runs or pastures much more secure against escapees (note: it is to help keep chickens in, not necessarily to keep anything out).

Erect a "tripwire": a thin wire or sturdy string of some sort about 6 inches above the top of the fence netting (you will need posts that extend beyond the top of netting, or zip-tie on some sticks as extensions). If erected properly and solidly and the "wire" is taught, this makes it nearly physically impossible to perch on the top (which is how chickens typically get over), and makes it difficult or impossible for those determined "climbers", because it obstructs their flapping wings as they try to clear the top.

Considering its a relatively easy feature to add on, and makes a much more secure fence, it can be well worth the having this trick up your sleave. I had a fence section where multiple hens kept getting over multiple times a day, they were learning from each other, and it was quite annoying; then i read about this method and perhaps twenty minutes of light work to erect a "tripwire" with some spare clothesline (and only on the side where they were getting over!) fixed the problem completely and permanently!

Hope others find this as useful as we did! Good luck!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Thanks for the tip. I agree that it works when they can't sit on the top rail to get over as I've experienced it myself

 

[Headhen3]

I shared this trick I learned on another discussion thread. But I since I found it so useful, simple, and easy to do that it really helped me out, and i haven't seen it elsewhere, i wanted to give it it's own thread so more folks might benefit.

It comes from the 1940s book Poultry and Rabbits on Scraps. It is used to make the fences of open-top runs or pastures much more secure against escapees (note: it is to help keep chickens in, not necessarily to keep anything out).

Erect a "tripwire": a thin wire or sturdy string of some sort about 6 inches above the top of the fence netting (you will need posts that extend beyond the top of netting, or zip-tie on some sticks as extensions). If erected properly and solidly and the "wire" is taught, this makes it nearly physically impossible to perch on the top (which is how chickens typically get over), and makes it difficult or impossible for those determined "climbers", because it obstructs their flapping wings as they try to clear the top.

Considering its a relatively easy feature to add on, and makes a much more secure fence, it can be well worth the having this trick up your sleave. I had a fence section where multiple hens kept getting over multiple times a day, they were learning from each other, and it was quite annoying; then i read about this method and perhaps twenty minutes of light work to erect a "tripwire" with some spare clothesline (and only on the side where they were getting over!) fixed the problem completely and permanently!

Hope others find this as useful as we did! Good luck!

Nice fix! I learned from a neighbor to run a piece of baling twine from any high position such as roof peak, tree limb screw eye etc to the top of a fence or to another tree will keep hawks off your girls. Saw a hawk start to dive, he saw the twine and pulled out of his dive to avoid "the giant spider web". This same trick with a rope across a pond will keep geese out because they don't have enough room for a water landing.

 

[Leahs Mom]

@Headhen3
Curious how many of those you have strung up? I've wanted to do that in an area but didn't know if I needed multiple or if just a couple will do the trick.

 

[Headhen3]

@Headhen3
Curious how many of those you have strung up? I've wanted to do that in an area but didn't know if I needed multiple or if just a couple will do the trick.

It depends on how much space you are trying to protect. The hawks need to be able to see the string/twine/rope so you could run from the roof peak out to trees or the fence line.