What height chicken wire?

[Meesh]

Hi,

I picked up a few rolls of 3' chickenwire yesterday so I could improve the 8' garden fence around my free-range area. There is currently an 8' tall fence made of fieldwire. I want to put up chickenwire around the bottom.

Do I need to put up 3' of chickenwire, or go 6' high? The chickenwire is to encourage the chickens to stay in the free range area, but it's not a catastrophe if they get out.

Here's my layout. There will be a secure, covered run inside of this free-range area.

Thanks!
Michelle

 

[arlee453]

I'd think that 3' up should be fine for the chicken wire.

 

[Meesh]

Thanks for the quick answer. I was hoping 3' would be OK.

 

[kstaven]

What breed(s) of chicken. Many of my LF will clear a 7 foot game fence with ease.

 

[Meesh]

Delaware, Faverolles, Polish, Ameraucana.

The free range area will not have a top, so yes they could fly out of it.

Cheers,
Michelle

 

[kstaven]

You definately have the potential for fence hoppers there. Only thing is to try and see if they decide to stay where you want them to be. I have watched some of my ameraucana literally scale the fence. Others could care less.

 

[unionwirewoman]

I just walked out this morning to find one of my new banty roo's being hearded by my cat . My fence is 7' high . I got him back in no problem . I have also had my banty turken girls do this . If you have banty chickens 3' is just a bump . I saw one of my red stars fly to 3/4 of the top fence line today also . IMHO 3' won't stop anything .