what kind of wire is best for a chicken run?

[smokinjay]

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I will post some pics next week, but just picture the one in this thread then studed out with 2x2's 16 inch on center. You could have a party of 5 on that roof with no issues. Its a brick crap house and cheaper than the hardwire. jmho My roof trusses are 2x2 as well! lol this thing has no give soild as a rock.

 

[kfacres]

chicken wire is worthless, even brand new, most critters can tear it up..

hardward cloth is also a waste.. It comes in such tiny ammounts, and for what they cost.. cost is rediculous.

welded wire is also just as poor of a decision as the two above. it lasts great for a few years, but after about 5.. it's just as easy to get in as the chicken wire.. once those welds get a tad of rusty, they'll pop off in huge sheets.

The best wire by far and away... is field fencing, with 2x4 openings=- it's the same as the 2x4 welded wire-- but the wires are twisted together, instead of welded.. I tried a quick google search, and came up with this.http://www.tractorsupply.com/fencin...b-fence-48-in-h-x-200-ft-black-finish-3610333 It's not what I'm thinking of, that I can tell as this picture is terrible.

 

[sulco]

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Absolutely no doubt... every time I think I'm good, I read something on here and then I'm back out working the run/coop. Big thanks to all those that post their experiences; it sure helps the noobs like me!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I agree, on my run the top next to the coop over concrete is solid. The part over dirt is wire.
If you get rain or snow where you live you'll thank your lucky stars for some dry outdoor space.

 

[new chick chick]

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I'm not sure if it was a Tom or not, but it jumped my 6 foot fence. It was stalking one of my chickens and I scared it away.
I have three hens in a small backyard in a city of 250,000 people. I have a speckled sussex, a black australorp (the biggest) and a golden comet.

 

[new chick chick]

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Thanks for the pictures! It helps!

 

[new chick chick]

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I think I'm convinced!

 

[rngrbill]

Hey new Chick Chick,
I live in a city with ?able chicken laws. My coop is 4x5 and the run extends under it. It is 18" off the ground and I wish I went the full 24 just for cleaning purposes. Here is a pic. All covered with 1/2" hardware cloth and fiberglass roof. Total run is 4 x 10.9 due to pattio block spacing. I have a mixed flock of 5 full size girls

 

[pawsplus]

The best thing is either chainlink or WOVEN (not welded) wire with hardware cloth over it. Hardware cloth is much better than chicken wire but neither it, nor heavier gauge welded wire, can keep out a determined larger predator (i.e., large dog). My small dog can tear through heavy welded wire in a digging apron (he has no access to the chickens but this is a digging apron on the inside of the dogs' yard. WOVEN wire he has no chance with.

You only need hardware cloth 2 feet up the walls of the pen and over windows, etc. (again, much safer if the hardware cloth is on top of WOVEN wire--the hardware cloth prevents 'coon hands from reaching in; the woven wire prevents the whole thing from being torn out).

My runs are chainlink w/ a woven wire digging apron and hardware cloth 2 feet up the sides. The top is woven wire. See pix at my BYC page.

 

[new chick chick]

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Looks like a great setup. Thanks for the picture!