Why not chain link??

[ColbertCritters]

I am drawing up plans for our chicken coop and have available chain link for a large run area. Can I use it?? If not, why? All I've read specifies "chicken wire", but chain link seems so much more sturdy and safe for preventing prowlers (We're in deer and coyote heaven), plus I could build the coop right off of it. Thanks for your replies as I can't find any info on using it.

 

[redhen]

Hi..i think you can use chain link because its very sturdy. But the holes in the fencing are kinda big, so a weasel or something could get through the holes. If you do use it, maybe you could use chicken wire (doubled) over the chain link? But then that would cost alot and..well...i dont know what to tell ya!

 

[miss_thenorth]

As far as I can see, chain link will allow the chickens to stick their heads out of it which might lead to apotential attack. Also, don't know if you plan on having chicks, but they can get through it, as can smakes, rats etc. If you do use chainlink, I think if you just ran chicken wire around the bottom of it, it should be fine.
Chicken wire is cheap, will rust through, and is not very sturdy.

That being said, I let my chickens totally free range, my chicks do well , as do the chickens.

I would totally go for the chainlink if you have it available. My opinion only.

 

[elmo]

If you build a secure coop and lock your chickens up in there at night, you could use chainlink for their run.

What happens is that racoons can scare the chickens into piling up in a corner, then grab parts of the chickens right through the chainlink and dismember the birds. Racoons are mostly nocturnal, though.

Rats and snakes can easily slip through the holes in chainlink fence, so you have that to consider, also.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Many people use it. Chicks can get through it, so it is not recommended alone as a fencing material. It is better to do as missnorth says and use poultry wire netting inside, on the lower three feet, backed up by the chain link.

Finally, on the outside, run two electric wires - one at 6-8" and one at 18-20." Then keep the weeds back from the fence.

Just that simple.

 

[ChooksChick]

I use chain link for one of the sides of my run, but this is daytime only- they have a Fort Knox for sleeping in that would require a human a bolt cutter or sawzall to get in...and I like it that way!

 

[SandyRiverChick]

You said that you have enough for a large run, so do that... for daytime. But make a good night time lock up plan. Either lock them in the coop(house) solely or lock them in the house + a smaller run made of finer wire for nightime. Works for me! I just let them out every morning into the large run, I love my big old dog kennel....

 

[Dixiedoodle]

We used chain link fencing and enclosed the entire run and used it over the windows w/ 1/2" hardware cloth under it to prevent pull thru,,, We also buried the wire two foot deep and did a 2 foot 'L' to prevent dig in....there is an ' apron' of 1/2" hardware cloth around the entire bottom of the run. BUT my chickens are locked up at night to prevent anything from getting them..

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

We use a chain link kennel for our Buffs and have had less predation on them than those in chicken wire fencing.

 

[patandchickens]

Chainlink is great as long as it's good quality (not the really flimsy stuff) and correctly installed, AND YOU BLOCK the gaps around gates etc and run something small-mesh along the bottom 2-3'.

It's not recommended real often on here I think just b/c of the price and the fact that it's a lot harder to install well than plain wire mesh.

I have a bunch, though, and I like it. CHickens are shut up at night, of course, and I have 1/2" mesh along the bottom coupla feet.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat