Chicken run

[HundyMundy]

The children are getting chickens [emoji17] and I need to build a run for them, so the local wildlife don’t eat there new pets.

Looked at electric netting online and wasn’t as tall as I thought it might be, it’s only 1.1 metres is this tall enough to keep chicken in and foxes out?

Does anyone know if you can get 1.5 ish metre electric nets? Or other simple run ideas.
Thanks

 

[sodbuster]

The children are getting chickens [emoji17] and I need to build a run for them, so the local wildlife don’t eat there new pets.

Looked at electric netting online and wasn’t as tall as I thought it might be, it’s only 1.1 metres is this tall enough to keep chicken in and foxes out?

Does anyone know if you can get 1.5 ish metre electric nets? Or other simple run ideas.
Thanks

Following with interest. Our kids have got 5 hens and I'm thinking along the same lines

 

[Muddyroads]

Might not be to everyones taste, but I used heras fence panels.

 

[JP1]

The children are getting chickens [emoji17] and I need to build a run for them, so the local wildlife don’t eat there new pets.

Looked at electric netting online and wasn’t as tall as I thought it might be, it’s only 1.1 metres is this tall enough to keep chicken in and foxes out?

Does anyone know if you can get 1.5 ish metre electric nets? Or other simple run ideas.
Thanks

What about a movable house and run like posted on here the other day?

Children can see the chooks and help you to fold over new grass regularly and if folks don't shut them at dusk, they are safer etc

Poultry Unit WERNLAS at Gardencraft, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, North Wales

Poultry Unit WERNLAS : A recent introduction to the range which was developed in conjunction with the WERNLAS Collection of Rare Breeds at Onibury in Shropshire. Units of this type have been used for many years in their breeding programme. The house may be moved using the integral tow skids or...

www.gcraft.co.uk

 

[Rod Dumbreck]

Our current enclosure has the conventional poultry net, and two additional wires, one at 9 inches and one near the top, on stand off insulators. Has been effective so far. Nothing is ever 100%, but foxes don't like the electrickery. (but once I left a trailer parked close to the fence and the little B used it as a springboard ) Chickens don't want to fly out, for some reason, even though they sometimes fly up to bed.

 

[HundyMundy]

The shed we are getting is on skids. I was thinking electric net round the shed and move it periodically onto fresh grass. If the chickens don't jump over a 1.1 metre net that is at least a start.

 

[bitwrx]

The shed we are getting is on skids. I was thinking electric net round the shed and move it periodically onto fresh grass. If the chickens don't jump over a 1.1 metre net that is at least a start.

I've had a pair of hens for a month or so. Haven't got round to building an enclosed run yet, but I know that if it is going to be genuinely fox proof, it needs to have decent mesh (1mm wire at least) on all sides, including the floor.

My interim solution is an automatic door opener. Closes at 11pm or dusk, whichever is sooner (all adjustable). Opens at 11, if I've forgotten to go and open it manually and feed the hens at the same time.

I have a feeling the interim solution may become permanent...

I have one of these:

VSE - automatic chicken door opener with integrated timer and manual control

The VSE - The All-in-One Automatic Chicken Door Open and close when it gets light or dark. Light sensor is built inside the device. No extra light sensor required if the unit is mounted outside the coop....

www.axt-electronic.org

Bit of a faff using magnets and reed switches rather than buttons, but otherwise good. Main reason I bought this one is it takes an external 12V supply. My original plan was to mount a fencer unit on the hen house and run them both off the same battery/solar panel combo.

 

[Beekissed]

Chickens usually jump up to a hard surface and jump down on the other side, so as long as they don't have an opportunity to do that, they usually don't jump electric netting. Should work for foxes as long as you keep it hot and keep it from becoming grounded by sticks or other debris kicked up by the chickens.

Around here we just keep a dog outside in the chicken's area at all times and let them free range. I never close up the coop, so they can come and go as they please. The dog on guard 24/7 is the easiest option for us.

 

[Blaithin]

Best fox proof runs I seen were in Aus. High fence, overhang at the top, wire mesh either dug in a foot at the bottom or laid on the ground out a foot.

I wouldn’t want to rely on electric netting. It’s good for days you’re at home to get them out and about but for vacations or days spent away or in case of net damage or weather, having a solid, permanent place is good peace of mind to me.

I’ve found large gauge page wire or farmer wire covered with chicken wire along the bottom works fine.

 

[Pan mixer]

We keep about 100 hens in two flocks.

I have used the electric netting for more than 10 years.

Until this year no fox ever got in, one has learned to jump it this season as had taken one a night until I rumbled him and shut the hens in the second they went to bed.

Hens have got out but usually when there is a hole or a fault - we need to replace some of the nets. We had some fly out into nearby trees to roost when they first came home but sorted that out with a pair of scissors cutting the tips off the feathers on one wing.

All round I would thoruoghly recommend the net

 

[bitwrx]

We keep about 100 hens in two flocks.

I have used the electric netting for more than 10 years.

Until this year no fox ever got in, one has learned to jump it this season as had taken one a night until I rumbled him and shut the hens in the second they went to bed.

Hens have got out but usually when there is a hole or a fault - we need to replace some of the nets. We had some fly out into nearby trees to roost when they first came home but sorted that out with a pair of scissors cutting the tips off the feathers on one wing.

All round I would thoruoghly recommend the net

Do you have any pics of your been houses?

 

[Hard Graft]

have an electric net for years and would not be with out one now

 

[Pan mixer]

Do you have any pics of your been houses?

Not handy, but I built them myself, a 40 bird hut and a 60 bird hut, both based on full sheets of ply, 2 in the first case, 3 in the second, I could take some pictures if you are really interested and if I remember.

 

[Chasingmytail]

moveable house. electric fence and shut in at night works well. For us the biggest issue was the goshawk who seemed to visit too regular so I had to place net over the top. Its better to let them have a decent run and move them around otherwise they make a right mess!

 

[HundyMundy]

moveable house. electric fence and shut in at night works well. For us the biggest issue was the goshawk who seemed to visit too regular so I had to place net over the top. Its better to let them have a decent run and move them around otherwise they make a right mess!

That was the plan move them onto fresh ground, round the wee field next to the house.

 

[steveR]

Might not be to everyones taste, but I used heras fence panels.

This is what I use for chickens AND our pheasant relase pen. Pop a single strand of electric about 4-6" of the ground to deter vermin.

 

[Pan mixer]

Do you have any pics of your been houses?

Just remembered that you wanted pictures.

60 bird hut, 12 feet by 8,

Built on a metal frame with the skids welded to it, up off the ground to deter vermin, 1mm galv sheet over the top of the frame, 18mm ply on top of that.

3mm plastic sheet on top of that to aid scraping out - the sheets come out for power washing when the flock changes, nest boxes inside so that rain doesn't rot the lids on them, plastic on top of them too, perches above, 6 foot high to ridge inside.

Inside lines with 12mm ply (far Eastern in the days when that was good stuff) 4 inches of fibre glass loft insulation between that and the 18mm external skin, roof insulated too with a vapour barrier then some cheap ply then profile cladding.

12 nest boxes in 3 x 4 blocks that lift out for washing, rollaway inserts, the nest boxes were a real pain to make.

Having looked it up that hut is 12 years old and not much deterioration evident at present, washed every 18 months or so and moved every so often - tractor and chain job.

A bit overkill I know but it was a winter project at the time and I was pleased to make something that would not need endless maintenance, just the occasional layer of fence-life outside and the perches creosoting every now and then for red spider mite. I got one Brownie point from the wife for making it.

 

[Hilly]

Just remembered that you wanted pictures.

60 bird hut, 12 feet by 8,

Built on a metal frame with the skids welded to it, up off the ground to deter vermin, 1mm galv sheet over the top of the frame, 18mm ply on top of that.

3mm plastic sheet on top of that to aid scraping out - the sheets come out for power washing when the flock changes, nest boxes inside so that rain doesn't rot the lids on them, plastic on top of them too, perches above, 6 foot high to ridge inside.

Inside lines with 12mm ply (far Eastern in the days when that was good stuff) 4 inches of fibre glass loft insulation between that and the 18mm external skin, roof insulated too with a vapour barrier then some cheap ply then profile cladding.

12 nest boxes in 3 x 4 blocks that lift out for washing, rollaway inserts, the nest boxes were a real pain to make.

Having looked it up that hut is 12 years old and not much deterioration evident at present, washed every 18 months or so and moved every so often - tractor and chain job.

A bit overkill I know but it was a winter project at the time and I was pleased to make something that would not need endless maintenance, just the occasional layer of fence-life outside and the perches creosoting every now and then for red spider mite. I got one Brownie point from the wife for making it.

That’s really good , well Done ?? where do you sell the eggs .?

 

[Pan mixer]

That’s really good , well Done ?? where do you sell the eggs .?

At the door, need more hens at £3 per dozen

 

[bitwrx]

Just remembered that you wanted pictures.

60 bird hut, 12 feet by 8,

Built on a metal frame with the skids welded to it, up off the ground to deter vermin, 1mm galv sheet over the top of the frame, 18mm ply on top of that.

3mm plastic sheet on top of that to aid scraping out - the sheets come out for power washing when the flock changes, nest boxes inside so that rain doesn't rot the lids on them, plastic on top of them too, perches above, 6 foot high to ridge inside.

Inside lines with 12mm ply (far Eastern in the days when that was good stuff) 4 inches of fibre glass loft insulation between that and the 18mm external skin, roof insulated too with a vapour barrier then some cheap ply then profile cladding.

12 nest boxes in 3 x 4 blocks that lift out for washing, rollaway inserts, the nest boxes were a real pain to make.

Having looked it up that hut is 12 years old and not much deterioration evident at present, washed every 18 months or so and moved every so often - tractor and chain job.

A bit overkill I know but it was a winter project at the time and I was pleased to make something that would not need endless maintenance, just the occasional layer of fence-life outside and the perches creosoting every now and then for red spider mite. I got one Brownie point from the wife for making it.

Only one brownie point. You was had!

What a construction. Really nice job. Thanks for posting pics. Good to see another take on the problem.

In return, I'll get some photos of mine tomorrow (although no-doubt I'll forget...).