Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[dheltzel]

Thank,you also for the advice my plan,right now is,to put the mesh across the top also the run will be 8 feet long I plan on hinging the top for easier access. That is design 1 design 2 is make it 6 feet tall and throw bird needing over the top, but not sure design two will keep the predators out.

A hinged roof makes all the difference here. Extra points if you figure out how to easily prop it open when working inside.
4 ft high is plenty for the comfort of the birds, even 3 ft is enough for the run, they aren't roosting out there.
Biggest oversight with predators is not expecting them to dig under the perimeter. I assume you thought of that too.

 

[Blarneyeggs]

Hey @Blarneyeggs ! Teaser!

I need some advice on hardware cloth, what size should I get it am thinking 48" high but do I get 1/2 or 1/4" holes

I do hardware clothe 1/4 inch 2 foot high around the outsides of my runs, I use a chicken wire or goat fencing above the 2 foot mark as it is cheaper. This has worked for me so far, but I believe my Bella has a lot to do with that.

Go higher than 4 feet, unless you are able to keep up with wing clipping. My Rhode Island White hopped my 4 foot fence (for the second time) 1 week after she started laying. My husband says we would have to put in taller posts to re-do the fence too--and post hole digging isn't my favorite thing. Wish I had done it better the first time, but everyone else is saying inside 4 feet.

I have found that my heavier birds will stay inside the 4 foot fencing. I have my Orpingtons in with my goats, and it's worked so far.

 

[fisherlady]

I do hardware clothe 1/4 inch 2 foot high around the outsides of my runs, I use a chicken wire or goat fencing above the 2 foot mark as it is cheaper. This has worked for me so far, but I believe my Bella has a lot to do with that.

I have found that my heavier birds will stay inside the 4 foot fencing. I have my Orpingtons in with my goats, and it's worked so far.

We also do hardware cloth around bottom with either goat or rabbit fencing for upper sides and roofing...has done well for us. Wouldn't keep out a bear or really determined big dog, but not much would that would be practical. Weasels may get through if using the bigger goat fencing, we go with the 1"x2".

 

[Redwolf141]

A hinged roof makes all the difference here. Extra points if you figure out how to easily prop it open when working inside.
4 ft high is plenty for the comfort of the birds, even 3 ft is enough for the run, they aren't roosting out there.
Biggest oversight with predators is not expecting them to dig under the perimeter. I assume you thought of that too.

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[COLOR=0000FF]I do hardware clothe 1/4 inch 2 foot high around the outsides of my runs, I use a chicken wire or goat fencing above the 2 foot mark as it is cheaper.  This has worked for me so far, but I believe my Bella has a lot to do with that.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=0000FF]I have found that my heavier birds will stay inside the 4 foot fencing.  I have my Orpingtons in with my goats, and it's worked so far.[/COLOR]

Thank Guys For the comments. Dheltzel I have not figured out a prop yet but I was thinking of a hinge that would allow the 4 foot sections to open all the wayears up and lay on the the closed half. I would only be able to open half at a time but it is better than having a prop fall and getting rapped in the head......lol

 

[fisherlady]

Thank Guys For the comments. Dheltzel I have not figured out a prop yet but I was thinking of a hinge that would allow the 4 foot sections to open all the wayears up and lay on the the closed half. I would only be able to open half at a time but it is better than having a prop fall and getting rapped in the head......lol

A 6-8 ft clothes line pole or broom stick with coat hook attached to side near end. Open lid, prop pole in corner on ground with lid hooked on coat hook. Or leave pole on outside and open lid past center and then hook it on pole.

 

[fisherlady]

A 6-8 ft clothes line pole or broom stick with coat hook attached to side near end. Open lid, prop pole in corner on ground with lid hooked on coat hook. Or leave pole on outside and open lid past center and then hook it on pole.

Alternative...attach piece of 1"x2" board (cut slightly shorter than the sides of the pen is high) to the inside face of corner posts on each end of run with hinge near top. Place a hook and eye hook on corner of lid with eye part of it on the board in a location so that when lid is lifted up you can flip up the hinged board and hook the lid board to it. When you are done cleaning just unhook the latches, fold the support board back down into the corner and it will be out of the way till next time....

 

[Redwolf141]

Thank Guys For the comments. Dheltzel I have not figured out a prop yet but I was thinking of a hinge that would allow the 4 foot sections to open all the wayears up and lay on the the closed half. I would only be able to open half at a time but it is better than having a prop fall and getting rapped in the head......lol

A 6-8 ft clothes line pole or broom stick with coat hook attached to side near end. Open lid, prop pole in corner on ground with lid hooked on coat hook. Or leave pole on outside and open lid past center and then hook it on pole.

great ideas I like the second one alot I may try that as soon as we get some decent weather here I am going to start on my build.

 

[fisherlady]

great ideas I like the second one alot I may try that as soon as we get some decent weather here I am going to start on my build.

Also along the 'pole' idea... get two of those flag holders for porches and attach them on inside of run facing the side where the lid hinges, again use the hook and eyes on the (much shorter) pole and lid to create an attachment but just slide the pole into the flag holder.

 

[chippysmom327]

Who set duck eggs for the Easter HAL? I set 6 call duck eggs

ETA I ALMOST FORGOT

We had a singleton hatch earlier this week! There were 3 alive at lockdown, but only 1 hatched. I named her Tulip

. Her mom is a chicken, since we happened to have a broody.

 

[fisherlady]

Who set duck eggs for the Easter HAL? I set 6 call duck eggs

ETA I ALMOST FORGOT

We had a singleton hatch earlier this week! There were 3 alive at lockdown, but only 1 hatched. I named her Tulip

. Her mom is a chicken, since we happened to have a broody.

She is adorable! Are ducks easier to sex at hatch than chickens or is it breed dependent?