The Ultimate Fence....We want it !!

Hivoltage

Songster
8 Years
Joined
Mar 25, 2017
Messages
77
Reaction score
77
Points
121
Location
Newark Ohio
So we plan on fencing in a large area maybe 100 x 100 ft and covered. Thinking of 6 foot tall chain link, covered and buried 8" or so. Looking on some tips and ideas to make this totally predator proof, or maybe a different type of fence would be better. Going around our predator proof coop !
 
Since small predators (like weasels and their various relatives) can get through chain link, perhaps if you use the kind with privacy slats it would make it more difficult to penetrate. Also your birds wouldn't be in plain view from predators on the outside so they might be less of a temptation.
 
oh, I forgot to mention one thing... BEFORE you build your fence, check with your local building department, many areas have building code regulating the type of fence you can have and if you need a permit to build such fence or need a locate first.
 
Hmmm, normal chain link is too big? I wondered about that. No building codes where we live....sort of in the boonies !
 
I know of some people who had chain link, raccoons were able to grab chickens through the fence and pull them until it decapitated the bird :( I would put a smaller gauge fence on the inside. We used 4' tall wire cattle panels (since our chicken run is alongside the dog yard, didn't want them pushing through the wire) and attached 1/2 hardware cloth mesh to the inside all the way around (using hog rings), then have chicken wire over the top. Could do the same with chain link.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20160801_172651.jpg
    IMG_20160801_172651.jpg
    1 MB · Views: 20
Making something that big totally predator proof will be really challenging. So many things can get through really small holes, dig, climb jump, or fly. But I’ll make a few comments.

6’ high and you are going to walk under it? And that’s before it sags. I don’t think so. 6’ high is OK for the outside fence but you will need taller supports if you are going to cover it. In Ohio don’t forget about snow load, a wet snow or ice storm night bring the covering down.

A way to stop digging predators without burying the fencing is to use an apron. Either bend the bottom section of your fence out or attach a piece of fencing about 18” wide to the bottom of the fence. The idea is that a digging predator goes up to the fence, starts digging, hits, the fence, and does not know to back up. It’s really effective and it’s a lot easier than digging straight down to bury a vertical section and filling it back in, especially in rocky soil. You don’t have to bury the apron, maybe lay something on it to hold it down until grass grows through it, but taking the turf up, laying the apron, and covering it with that turf keeps it away from lawn mowers and weed eaters.

Practically anything that can get through a very small hole, like a weasel, snake, mouse, or rat, can climb really well too. Putting a small mesh wire along the bottom 18” or so of your fence will help but it will not totally stop them. I don’t have any solutions to that unless you have an unlimited bank account.

If it is hooked up correctly an electric fence will stop any land-based critter of any size. If you hook electricity up right, that includes climbing critters like raccoons, possum, and foxes. That means you can use less expensive netting to stop flying critters.

Good luck!
 
Good points and thanks !! I have decided on 1/2" hardware cloth. I want the 6' tall and I know I will need to bend down a bit, I just dont want to crawl. I like the apron idea. We will design it so the top is not going to sag with posts in the right places. I am hiring a fence company to do it so it will be right.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom