need help about a chicken run

[kimmerjo]

My husband and I are thinking of using old pallets for a fence and on the inside of the pallet using poultry netting. Is this going to be enough to keep critters out?

 

[Pent]

You'll need a skirt to keep them from digging under; If anyone you know owns a ferret, borrow it and put it in the run. If it can escape, you need to keep working at it. (Keep a leash on it, 'cause trust me, it can escape)

 

[Puddin Fluff]

If you are talking about having something during the day for a place for them to roam and be fenced in, I would say most likely it would be okay unless you have alot of stray dogs or other K-9 predators. Our coop and run is only enclosed with chicken wire and fence posts and so far

we have been fine. I have heard of others who have had racoons rip through the chicken wire and come in and tear up/eat their chickens.

Many people prefer the use of hardware cloth as it is a sturdier metal.

The other concern is the height of the pallets. We have a 6 foot fence (ck wire) and we still have one girl who when she feels like it flys out. Also if there is a rail across the top of the fence, they will want to jump up and perch on it and get out that way.

things that make you go........Hummmm?

 

[SobbaChickens]

My husband and I are thinking of using old pallets for a fence and on the inside of the pallet using poultry netting. Is this going to be enough to keep critters out?

Use hardware cloth and bury some of it in the ground, don't bother with chicken wire it's too weak

 

[Puddin Fluff]

You'll need a skirt to keep them from digging under; If anyone you know owns a ferret, borrow it and put it in the run. If it can escape, you need to keep working at it. (Keep a leash on it, 'cause trust me, it can escape)

That is true about the skirt. We used 7 foot (I think) chicken wire and layed a foot of it down on the ground flat and covered it with rocks. Other folks dig a trench and bury the hardware cloth straight down to prevent digging in.

 

[kimmerjo]

Thank you. I never thought about the height. my husband thinks we should just free range but we live in the woods with MANY predators. I want my chickens as safe as possible. I'm at home all day do you think they would safe not to extend the height or put a top on the run?

 

[Puddin Fluff]

We don't have a top on our run but it is completely covered by an oak tree so a hawk would have to land in the tree and then dive in and so far we have been okay. We close them up at night in the coop and they are completly enclosed on 3 sides with wood building and the 4th is a covered run made with one inch ck. wire. The only intruders we have had are tiny birds and a couple of snakes. We have seen evidence of a racoon digging so we did some night hunting and took care of that. We have coyotes, foxes, hawks and stray dogs in the area as well.

We have lost one chicken to a hawk while free ranging and one to a fox (we think). Now while they free range we stay outside with them or are working nearby to keep an eye out esp. for the hawks.

As far as fence height, you can try the short fencing but you will most likely end up raising it. Our coop/run always seems to be a work in progress. Just when we think things are working well, we find a flaw that needs adjusting.

 

[kimmerjo]

Our family coon dog just pass so I'm worried the coons will start coming back around. Would it be safe to get a kitten and raise it with the chickens so I could take care of any small rodents?

 

[Puddin Fluff]

I don't see why not. Our cat easily learned the little ones weren't food but she readily hunts other birds still. Currently she is a bit afraid of the full grown chickens. Also, FYI, chickens will eat mice if they can catch them, along with small snakes, frogs, and prettymuch anything that is too small to fight back!