Hi everyone!
I have been researching chicken keeping for quite some time and have been ingesting all of the wonderful information here for weeks and weeks!
I know that the first line of defense against predators is not letting them get to the chickens! They will be pets and I want to do everything within reason (and budget) to protect them. I have been researching and price shopping to find a way to fence a run that is secure but won't break the bank. Can you tell me if this should be adequate?
I am considering running 14 gauge galvanized welded fence with 2" x 4" openings as the main fencing for the run. Then on the bottom 24" I will run 19 gauge 1/2" opening hardware cloth to keep 'coon and possum fingers out of the run at 'chicken level'. On top of the run I plan on covering it with 16 gauge galvanized welded fence, 2" x 4" openings. Then run a skirt buried just under the sod around the perimeter.
My idea of using the 16 gauge fencing on top of the run is to keep out flying predators such as hawks, but also 'coons and possums that can potentially chew through lighter wire such as chicken hex.
My hens will use the run on days that I can't supervise free ranging, during the day, and will be locked up in to a very solid coop at night.
I live in western NY and we have raccoons, opossums, skunks and many hawk species frequently. Roaming dogs are always a possibility. Coyotes and foxes I can assume are around (I live on about 14 acres, 12 of which are wooded), and less commonly bobcats and bears. I know that nothing short of hot wire will stop a determined bear, so I am mostly looking to guard against the smaller predators and will cross the bear bridge if it ever presents a problem!
Thank you for your insight.
I have been researching chicken keeping for quite some time and have been ingesting all of the wonderful information here for weeks and weeks!
I know that the first line of defense against predators is not letting them get to the chickens! They will be pets and I want to do everything within reason (and budget) to protect them. I have been researching and price shopping to find a way to fence a run that is secure but won't break the bank. Can you tell me if this should be adequate?
I am considering running 14 gauge galvanized welded fence with 2" x 4" openings as the main fencing for the run. Then on the bottom 24" I will run 19 gauge 1/2" opening hardware cloth to keep 'coon and possum fingers out of the run at 'chicken level'. On top of the run I plan on covering it with 16 gauge galvanized welded fence, 2" x 4" openings. Then run a skirt buried just under the sod around the perimeter.
My idea of using the 16 gauge fencing on top of the run is to keep out flying predators such as hawks, but also 'coons and possums that can potentially chew through lighter wire such as chicken hex.
My hens will use the run on days that I can't supervise free ranging, during the day, and will be locked up in to a very solid coop at night.
I live in western NY and we have raccoons, opossums, skunks and many hawk species frequently. Roaming dogs are always a possibility. Coyotes and foxes I can assume are around (I live on about 14 acres, 12 of which are wooded), and less commonly bobcats and bears. I know that nothing short of hot wire will stop a determined bear, so I am mostly looking to guard against the smaller predators and will cross the bear bridge if it ever presents a problem!
Thank you for your insight.
