Top of run.... hardware cloth or chicken wire?

[Katydid2011]

P.S. If I do cover the remainder of the run with hardwire cloth, chicken wire or other fencing material, does that mean they shouldn't be out on pasture in the open... (?) I would seriously hate to relegate the girls to what seems like a life lived wholly in the confines of a very large cage. I'm truly conflicted about this.

 

[Katydid2011]

Quote:
You will sleep better knowing your birds are safe. I'll never buy chicken wire again. They need to quit making it.

Seems to me that chicken wire is designed to keep chickens in, not to keep predators out. It would help if manufacturers made that distinction on their packaging!

 

[Kaitie09]

Our's free range when we are home, we just give them plenty of places to hide if a hawk get near them. However, they only free range in our goat's fenced area and they stick pretty close so I don't think a hawk would take that big of a chance.

 

[7L Farm]

Quote:
Not at all. It just means their safe when confined. I still free range everyday.But if they ever need to be locked up for a period of time they will be safe. I. E. vacation the weather etc. My coop has auto pop door. They cruise the run before I let them out. I let them out at 9 am everyday.Lock em up at dusk.

 

[Quirky]

It seems sensible to make the top of the run as secure as the rest of the structure. I have been sourcing my materials from odd places (secondhand supply places for contractors, for instance). But if I have to buy sturdy materials new, I'm going to make it work.

Good luck with whatever way you decide to go

 

[Celtic Chick]

Quote:
Not at all. It just means their safe when confined. I still free range everyday.But if they ever need to be locked up for a period of time they will be safe. I. E. vacation the weather etc. My coop has auto pop door. They cruise the run before I let them out. I let them out at 9 am everyday.Lock em up at dusk.

x2
A covered/fenced run is for when you can't be there to keep an eye on them. If you are out & about in your yard, let them free-range. Predators can be bold on occasion, but for the majority of the time, they will avoid areas where they see people moving about. Plant some vase-shaped bushes and bushy perennials in your yard where you plan to let them free-range so they have somewhere to hide if they see a hawk or something. I have a stand of hollyhocks that my chickens completely disappear in. Except for the plants doing a funny dance.......