RUN - To cover or not?

[lindsay297]

Just a thought......why cant you build it?? We have a 10x12 run wrapped in chicken wire and half covered with painted plywood and half with chicken wire. Other then the cutting, I dont like saws, I was able to build it myself. I bought my materials from local hardware stores and got the best delivery rate I could find. If you get a good plan in your head it is not hard to do. Did I mention that I am not the best builder?? Saves a ton on money!! Again just a thought!!

 

[JackE]

Check out electrified poultry fence. I have a 50X100 ft run, and it costs less than half of what your looking to pay for waaaaayy less area. I installed it myself, it was easy. As far as airborne predators go, just have a place for the chickens to get under and hide when a hawk comes by. I know my birds seem to find another gear and scatter when a hawk flies over. And I don't even have a rooster. They learn on their own. I have fox and sometimes neighbor's dogs that come around, and they don't mess with that fence. (Premier by the way). Check out the website, call them up, they'll help you out.
Jack

 

[real_redhead]

Thanks for the feedback...I like your run Lindsay297 you did a good job. Has me thinking....And Jack I hadn't thought about the electic wire, I am sure my son would have fun with that one.

 

[lindsay297]

Np!! I have two boys and that is why I stay away from electric fencing. Would work though!! Maybe on the boys too! My DH is gone for work alot as well and I found it took time but, I had a good design (sketch picture) and my local Home Hardware were really great at cutting to length what I needed. Not to mention giving me the idea of raising it on deck blocks!!

 

[JackE]

You can turn the fence off when you are out with the birds. How old are the kids?, they can be taught NOT to touch the fence. And even if they do, it not like it's going to seriously hurt them. It's not going to burn their fingers off. And if they do touch it, they will get the message not to touch it again. I don't know, to spend over a $1000 for such a small area doesn't make much sense to me. The poultry netting works, and after I see the expense for far less, I'm glad I bought it.
Jack

 

[real_redhead]

My kids are 7 and 10 the oldest being the boy. He would have fun with the fence trying to do experiments with it and all! I can see it now, him with sticks and what ever trying to touch the fence to see what would happen or getting his sister to do it . haha I would probably get shocked more forgetting it was on!! haha.

 

[JackE]

My kids are 7 and 10 the oldest being the boy. He would have fun with the fence trying to do experiments with it and all! I can see it now, him with sticks and what ever trying to touch the fence to see what would happen or getting his sister to do it . haha I would probably get shocked more forgetting it was on!! haha.

Sounds like my son when he was young, about getting his sister to do something. But, 7yrs old is plenty old enough to learn caution about the fence. They would not be like a hardheaded toddler (As my daughter was, and STILL is, even now when she's grown up) that just keeps grabbing the fence and not getting the picture that the fence should NOT be touched. Well, the fence is just a suggestion, Good luck with whatever you come up with.
Jack