What kind of fence?

[BroosterSpringsteen]

My chickens free range a little too freely. I want to build a fence. I'm feeling really overwhelmed with the options. I was thinking of building an enclosed run, so that I wouldn't have to lock them up every night, but I don't think I can afford to build one as large as I would like. So I'm thinking a fence would be better, and I'll close them up in the coop in the evening.

Any ideas for poultry fencing? We have a lot of wood laying around, and hardware cloth. I've also looked at electric fencing, which seems like it might be a good option, but is it safe to have around kids?

 

[loanwizard]

Electric is safe around kids in my opinion. It only bites for a second lol!

I would look into electric poultry netting myself but if you have hardware cloth and lumber just build something. I used T post and chicken wire last year and it kept them in (for the most part).

I moved them to the barn this year and they have their own stall with a pop door. They range my lil 4 acres and find their way to the barn every night, all 51 of them.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Unless you use electric NET, it won't keep chickens in

I'd just use welded wire for the run itself, and if you have a big predator problem, run a few electric wires around that

 

[Cargo]

If it is just to contain the chickens you can use chicken wire.

 

[OldGuy43]

I'm not sure that electric fencing is an effective chicken container. I've seen mine leaning against it. If you do decide to go with electric, make sure you get a pulsed charger, not a weed burner.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: The visible netting keeps them in
The electrcity is to keep predators out

 

[JackE]

I have the electric poultry netting from Premier. I'll tell you what, if a chicken gets up against this fence, it's VERY obvious they feel it. They are not too quick to get lean on it again.
Jack

 

[BroosterSpringsteen]

Thanks for all the input. I'm rethinking electric in favor of building a covered run. Yesterday morning I walked outside, and 2 of my hens were on the roof of the house. My house is 3 stories. I have no idea how they got up there. They must have used a tree, but apparently, they can fly even higher than I realized. Plus, I was visiting a friend with a new chicken run, and they had a nice simple design I think I can imitate using existing scrap wood.

 

[OldGuy43]

Yesterday morning I walked outside, and 2 of my hens were on the roof of the house. My house is 3 stories. I have no idea how they got up there.

I'm giving 3:1 that their wings aren't clipped?

 

[BroosterSpringsteen]

Quote: They are definitely not clipped

It's like having a living weather vane.