New to the chicken world....

[TheBirdhouse]

For my run i used that orange nylon/plastic construction fencing 2 layers, its really tough and flexible. At first I only had it aproxximately 5 feet high, But then the rooster discovered if he jumped on the top and held it down, the rest could get out, so i fixed that, its now about 10 feet high.


For the bottom, i actually barried over 1 foot of the fencing and at ground level i attached 2x4's to both sides to prevent anything from digging its way into the coop, I live in the bush with only one neighbour, there are lots of preditors around, such as fox's, martins, black bears, raccons, possums, and more, i understand totally about your worries and everyone elses.

 

[fordmommy]

I have "all purpose" netting on the top of my run. It's pretty tough plastic.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Quote:
Currently no. The left section of run has an extra 12' x 6' section of dog run with tarp over it for shade and rain protection and the rest has that green plastic deer netting ziptied to keep the hawks out. When I put the run up it was April and I lock the girls up at night.

With the coming darker days/nights, I need to add something to the top that would be preditor proof since it will get dark before I get home from work.

I will either use hardware cloth or tin roofing.

 

[DODALDO]

Not enough to be said about the eletric fence. IMO it's the only way to go. I have a 20x20 pen nothing is dug into the ground, 8 ft tall, 1st 4 ft is hardware cloth 1/2x1/2, the top 4 ft and the top cover is all heavy chicken wire, and about 4in above ground and 4in away from run is a eletric fence that goes all the way around the pen. works well on unknowing kids to lol
I also live in predator alley. Think like a predator. Prepare like one also.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Quote:
Would Horseguard elec fence tape work for preditors?

I have a couple of spools and boxes of plastic connectors leftover from when I had horses on my property.

With the shorter daylight coming I feel I need to beef up on preditor proofing the run.

I haven't yet seen coons or possum in the two years of living on this property but I do hear and see the coyote.

This morning my Aussie alerted me to a young coyote that was out in the pasture that has overgrown without the horses, that was leeping up and down in the tall grass catching mice.

Fun to watch and benefical, but I don't want the coyote any closer to the coop/run.

 

[Bizzybirdy]

Chicken wire is totally useless for keeping predators out...racoons eat right through it or worse yet just pull heads and body parts through it.... and dogs can just pull it apart.

If you cannot put anything stronger up right away then run a couple strands of electric wire around the outside. At least that will stop most from going further until you can figure out a way to reinforce the pen.

I have 5' high chain link with smaller wire running 2 ft. high along the bottom of the run. My smaller pen has hot wire.

 

[daisy44]

I have also used a dog run for my four girls.. We put a roof on with coregated plastic. It works great and keeps every one dry, and also shades them to. There coop is in side the dog pen to keep them extra safe...I think this was a great pen for my small flock... I Love My Pet Chickens:

 

[katherine712]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions!! Obviously, it's a learning experience. I'm going to work on it this weekend and see what I can come up with!!!

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Quote:
I like the sound of that plastic stuff. Seems like it would be easier to handle then the tin. Would be better then a tarp at keeping the rain off. Currently, the tarp will fill with water and begin to sag in the middle despite lifting one side of the run.

How did you attach the plastic stuff to the top of the run?

 

[daisy44]

I had also started with a tarp.. We had so much rain last mounth that I lived out back dumping all the rain water off. The plastic roof is great. My pen is 7 1/2 feet wide. I first laied out the spacing were I was to but 2x4 I than drilled a hole in the pipes. I screwed up through the pipes into the 2x4. On top of the 2x4 I laied a strip of wood that is shaped like the plastic roofing. I then laied the roofing on top, using screws that are for installing the plastic roof. I also left a overhang on both ends for run off.. We get snow here so I spaced the 2x4 only 12 inches apart... Good luck with your roof...

I will have to send pictures