Chicken fencing-how tall?

[CreativeCowgirl]

I am planning on fencing a portion of my yard for my 27 chickens that I recently bought. They are all different breeds. I dont have a lot of extra money to spend on it but I do want to use a welded wire mesh with t posts rather than chicken wire. How tall would this need to be? Would 4ft be adequate if I clipped their wings?

 

[groundpecker]

Chickens seem to find a way to get over/around/through a fence if they want.

I would suggest a 6 feet tall fence, this would also keep some predators such as dogs/cats out most of the time.

You could use 4 feet tall fence if you added a "hot wire" to the top with those plastic t-post fittings.
I would also suggest putting another "hot wire" about 6-8 inches off the ground on the outside to help keep coons and other predators
from getting in. Even in the city, there could be that hungry coon waiting to have a chicken dinner.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

4 ft might keep them in , but it won't keep many things OUT

 

[6littlechicks]

I have a 3 foot fence and my big BR clears it with ease and I would suggest 6ft fencing. I'm thinking of getting one of those 6ft dog runs from tractor supply. I jjust put bird netting over for the rest of the season and I'm going to adjust the run in the spring.

 

[Ridgerunner]

There is no easy answer to this question. I don't clip wings. I don't have any experience with that so I won't comment on it.

I have them inside 4' high electric netting now. The only time I have problems keeping them in is when I am integrating young chicks. The young ones get trapped against the netting and fly over it to get away from the adult hens. The adults never fly out.

The adult chickens would have no problems clearing that fence if they want to. I had one get out through a door. She cleared that 4' high fence with a foot to spare when I tried to herd her back toward that door. My adult full sized fowl have absolutely no trouble jumping/flying up to a 5' high roost. I'm sure they could get much higher if they wanted to.

I've had hens clear a 5' high run fence. I think they were trying to get away from an amorous rooster.

It comes down to motivation. If they want out, they can prettty much get out, unless you make it really high. But I've seen posts on here where people keep them inside a 3' high fence. It's not that they can't get out. They just don't want to.

I don't know how big an area you are talking about fencing in. If it is big enough and they don't have a desire to get out, a 5' fence should be plenty high enough. I can't give you any guarantees but that is what I'd probably use. There are different fencing choices in 5' heights that will work.

One warning. Don't put a top rail on it. If they can see something they might want to perch on, they can hop/fly up there just for fun. Once they are up there, they are just as likely to hop down on the wrong side. Once they are out, they cannot figure out how to get back in. A wire top to that fence instead of a rail is a really good idea.

 

[chfite]

I use 6 foot tall fence.

Chris

 

[CreativeCowgirl]

Sorry for the double post. I was posting via my phone.. Anyway thanks for the info, still haven't decided yet. I'm hoping that since most of them are heavier breeds they won't feel the need to fly up there. I do have three white leghorns though. But the area I am fencing should end up being roughly about 5,000 sq. feet, so I am hoping they will have enough space that they won't want to get out.

 

[janinepeters]

Sorry for the double post. I was posting via my phone.. Anyway thanks for the info, still haven't decided yet. I'm hoping that since most of them are heavier breeds they won't feel the need to fly up there. I do have three white leghorns though. But the area I am fencing should end up being roughly about 5,000 sq. feet, so I am hoping they will have enough space that they won't want to get out.

Well, you might have some trouble -- 5000 sq ft is about 1/10th of an acre, so it might not be enough to quell the desire to roam for a flock of 27. I currently have 19 birds in 1/3 acre, and no one tries to clear a 4 ft fence, except for my flighty hamburg (who can fly onto the roof of the house), who occasionally escapes when spooked. None of my heavier breeds have ever tried to fly out. The hamburg always comes back very soon, because she wants to be with the flock, none of whom ever try to follow her.

I think I might have posted on your other thread, but in case I didn't, will say it here. Most important is that the top of the fence and posts have nothing large and sturdy enough for them to perch on. If they can perch, they will hop-fly onto it, and then hop out. A plain wire fence is best.

 

[CreativeCowgirl]

Thanks for the info guys, it has been very helpful. I think I have decided to go with a 5' welded wire fence instead of 4'. I found some at Menards that was on sale so it ended up being really close in price to the 4' stuff anyway. I think it will be much safer for them, and I am excited to put it up!