Run design

[HollyB]

I've spoiled our girls, letting them have daily run of the yard for a few hours late PM till bedtime. Now my husband says, "Enough!", as the sidewalks are always strewn with mulch and dirt, plants get eaten and I can't even think about planting a garden. I'm sure you all know the scene. I'm a newbie, only having these 5 hens for six months. They have a VERY nice coop and pen, but I want to build a fenced open run around their coop to section off an area just for them. There are large bushes, dirt bath areas, and nice shade here.

My questions: I plan to use stakes and 3' high chickenwire - will this be high enough? Their wings are clipped. Would they jump on top of flimsy wire to hop over? They are standards. I really don't want to invest more in larger fence, nor do I want to build something that is not going to work. Any input?

 

[OrpingtonManor]

I have standard BO's with one clipped wing on each. Mine can hop over a 3' fence without even breathing hard, even flimsy wire. They have to think a little more about 4', and only rarely pull it off. To be really safe, 5' or 6' would be better. And, you should put something over the top to keep the predators out.