Need cheap and easy ideas for a large run

[MomOfThreeDucks18]

A less expensive fencing option than chainlink is to use Cattle Panel (CP) and put HC on the bottom portion and as an apron(to keep smaller dogs out, too) and maybe 2x4 wire on the top half? That will work as both a fenced yard for your daughter AND good predator protection, too. Having some electric set up on it wouldn't hurt.

It is not the same as a secured, all the way around, run. But it will keep your yard safer.

We are new duck owners. We have chain link fence that is 5 foot tall and we plan to make the run 15x15. How much of the run should be covered in hardware cloth to keep predators like weasels and raccoons out?

 

[Folly's place]

Small types of weasels need that 1/2" hardware cloth everywhere!
Chain link fencing is good but not perfect, as many critters can jump or climb over it, and chickens fly over it too.
'Safe' is relative, and directly related to time and money spent on their housing and the run.
Mary

 

[MomOfThreeDucks18]

Small types of weasels need that 1/2" hardware cloth everywhere!
Chain link fencing is good but not perfect, as many critters can jump or climb over it, and chickens fly over it too.
'Safe' is relative, and directly related to time and money spent on their housing and the run.
Mary

Thank you! We were definitely going to put hardware cloth on the top of it.

 

[Folly's place]

Chain link won't keep weasels or rats out.

 

[PetitePlume]

Well this morning when I was filling the water cans a German Shepard dog came into my yard and into the run. I had the run door shut but not latched (if not latched there is a 1/2” gap). Said dog was able to nudge the door open and killed 1 chicken, injured another and still have 1 missing. This dog has killed a few chickens previously and each time we beefed up protection. I want to keep My daughters as well as the chickens, ducks, rabbits and our daschaund safe from this dog. I tried to find who’s dog it is on Facebook and also stated that per state law I do have the right to kill the dog if caught in the act of attacking my animals, all that did was have people attack me because said dog is supposed to be a $2,000 import so it should be allowed to kill my animals and I should be privileged that it’s in my yard

There are lots of dogs in my neirborhood, and the owners weren't responsible and somehow the dogs always escaped. When I got my first chickens I asked the C.O. what was my right in case a dog was to come and injure or kill a chicken and they told me I could legally shoot it. (We are hunters) I passed the message around and somehow dog owner were suddenly able to keep their dogs into their yard... I did bear spray a couple though, and they never came back. The good thing about bear spray is that the dog runs home amd straight into the house they are so uncomfortable. Then the owner gets it. I am not afraid to tell them since their dog shouldn't ne on my property. I tell them: Lucky I didn't shoot it, since I could have done it legally.
Put your foot down. A bullet 2 feet in front of the dog may make the owner think twice...

 

[Rldad1]

Well this morning when I was filling the water cans a German Shepard dog came into my yard and into the run. I had the run door shut but not latched (if not latched there is a 1/2” gap). Said dog was able to nudge the door open and killed 1 chicken, injured another and still have 1 missing. This dog has killed a few chickens previously and each time we beefed up protection. I want to keep My daughters as well as the chickens, ducks, rabbits and our daschaund safe from this dog. I tried to find who’s dog it is on Facebook and also stated that per state law I do have the right to kill the dog if caught in the act of attacking my animals, all that did was have people attack me because said dog is supposed to be a $2,000 import so it should be allowed to kill my animals and I should be privileged that it’s in my yard

I would shoot the dog, hire a lawyer and sue the hell out of the owner. Your daughter's safety comes first. I would give the owner fair warning via a registered letter that if the dog comes into your yard again he will be shot. I would also contact animal control and let them know you are dealing with a viscous dog. Don't advertise it, just do it. Most idiots on Facebook don't have a clue.

 

[3KillerBs]

I would also contact animal control and let them know you are dealing with a viscous dog.

Ditto.

Animal control exists for a reason. You have the right to have the dog dealt with professionally.

 

[rosemarythyme]

We are new duck owners. We have chain link fence that is 5 foot tall and we plan to make the run 15x15. How much of the run should be covered in hardware cloth to keep predators like weasels and raccoons out?

Against weasels you'd want 1/2" hwc all over the run. Against coons, bottom few feet is most essential because even though they climb, they're most well known for simply reaching through a large hole fence, and pulling birds through the openings.

 

[Kdlevesque]

My original coop and run are predator proof with hardware cloth on the bottom and sides. We just built this new area for our chickens out of welded wire and fence posts and we have two large dogs and other dogs that come into our yard during the day but our chickens have been fine. I do have Aviary netting on the top to keep the hawks from getting them but at night time they are shut in the house and and predator proof run. We just installed a “ladies first automatic chicken door” onto the original run and that allows us to close the big door and go out for the night and not have to worry about getting home to shut the chickens up. I do understand that it would not work for everyone but it does work for me.

 

[M Brennen]

With all the wild creatures we have had to protect our chickens against, we have been lucky that the neighbor’s dogs aren’t one of them. We have a six foot wire mesh fencing to keep our own dogs away from the chickens.
For years we had a section behind the coop fenced in with some inexpensive mesh wire. We covered the top with netting. It was anything but secure. We were constantly losing chickens and repairing holes. This year we have spent a lot of time and money creating a proper run. I know it’s not always feasible to put a lot of money into chickens, but If you don’t put he money into it from the start, you may regret it in the long run.