Couple questions about extending chicken yard.

[z3lda3]

Hi, I’m extending my chicken yard. I’m wanting to make it about 7ft in height, and as long and wide as possible- until I run out of money. My question is, should I cement the posts into the ground, or no cement and just a packed down hole? Or is there another way to stake the posts into the ground? I’ll be using hardwire mesh for the sides and avian netting for the top, if that’s pertinent..

 

[perkolator]

Are you determined to use wood posts for this?

Consider T-posts, which just get staked directly in to the ground. Price is somewhat comparable to a 4x4 post and lasts years/decades compared to wood. Comes in various lengths, 10ft is what you'd use for your 7-8ft fencing. When I need to attach wood to a t-post, I use plumber's tape/strapping to adapt it, or drill a hole through it.

Alternatively there are ways to anchor wood posts to the ground without concrete - such as setting them in gravel/rock or gravel/sand mix. You could also use a metal post support such as the fence post mender stakes, t-post, flat-bar concrete form stakes, U-channel fence/sign posts, etc.

Few years ago I extended my run using T-posts and fencing, it works great and was near free as I had most of the materials on-hand already. I used bamboo for additional structure since I grow it, but if I was buying something I'd consider stainless aircraft cable/wire rope, rebar, or metal conduit pipe.

IMG_3866.jpg

• perkolator
• Jun 29, 2022

Improving a chicken run with hardware cloth perimeter and overhead chicken wire to keep the...

 

[z3lda3]

Are you determined to use wood posts for this?

Consider T-posts, which just get staked directly in to the ground. Price is somewhat comparable to a 4x4 post and lasts years/decades compared to wood. Comes in various lengths, 10ft is what you'd use for your 7-8ft fencing. When I need to attach wood to a t-post, I use plumber's tape/strapping to adapt it, or drill a hole through it.

Alternatively there are ways to anchor wood posts to the ground without concrete - such as setting them in gravel/rock or gravel/sand mix. You could also use a metal post support such as the fence post mender stakes, t-post, flat-bar concrete form stakes, U-channel fence/sign posts, etc.

Few years ago I extended my run using T-posts and fencing, it works great and was near free as I had most of the materials on-hand already. I used bamboo for additional structure since I grow it, but if I was buying something I'd consider stainless aircraft cable/wire rope, rebar, or metal conduit pipe.

IMG_3866.jpg

• perkolator
• Jun 29, 2022

Improving a chicken run with hardware cloth perimeter and overhead chicken wire to keep the...

No I absolutely don’t have to use wood. And I like the T-post idea! They look easier to install, than wooden posts.
I really like your bamboo! Unfortunately I don’t grow any nor is there any around me. I have pine, pine everywhere, as far as the eye can see. (FYI apparently hawks love nesting in pine)
Which would be best, the metal piping or the wire rope?
Thanks so much for the information it’s so helpful!

 

[perkolator]

Neither material is better than the other, I'd probably use both depending on the situation. 10ft of 3/4" EMT conduit is around $10 where I'm at, which is pretty affordable IMO. Cable/wire rope is a tad less expensive but you also need stuff like turnbuckles to make it tight, anchors, etc. as well as well-anchored posts that can resist the cable tension.