Height of Chicken Wire

[jgaepi]

I want to build a run that parallels my backyard fence. The fence is about 5.5 feet high and wood with no gaps. I want to take out some of my landscaping along the outer edge and run wire, allowing for about a 3.5ft wide run. My concern is the wire height. The only wire I can find is 4 feet tall. I want to dig in at least 4 inches, allowing for only about 3.5 feet tall. I have to assume that the chickens can jump right over. I really do not want a roof. Any suggestions? Thank you.

 

[NonnasBabies]

Quote:
No suggestions cause your right. They'll jump right over that!!

 

[Stephanie739]

They can jump higher than that! lol Mine used to fly over the dog kennel (about 6 feet)

 

[Eggcessive]

I have some success with electric poultry netting. I have not used electric on it, but it is 40 inches high and portable so that you can move it where you need it. The chickens can't perch on top of it so they don't fly over it. I had a 4 ft. chain link fence and a 5 ft. wooden fence that many would jump over all the time. You could use some plastic netting fence also, and would be cheaper, but not as attractive.

 

[jgaepi]

This may be better in a different post but what about clipping their flight feathers. Someone mentioned it to me. Worth it?

 

[lucky123]

The one solution would be to run 5ft chicken wire over the top, even though I would use dog wire, and rabbit cage clips to fasten it on.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Please don't use chicken wire - dogs and 'coons can rip through it. Use hardware cloth to save yourself an eventual bloodbath.

 

[jgaepi]

what about clipping of the tail feathers?

I have a buddy that leaves the top of the run completely open/exposed 24-7 and locks the birds up in the coop at night. He has had no issues. Other than birds jumping into the neighbors yards? We live in small town suburbia. Lots of trees. Does the clustering of houses help?

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

The only wire I can find is 4 feet tall.
I want to dig in at least 4 inches,

Run 2 rows of 4 ft wire, and use a 2 ft APRON, giving you a 6 ft fence.

Digging in 4 inches is a waste of effort, since it's not deep enough to stop anything.

A strip of wire at the surface WILL stop digging and it's a lot less labor intensive​

 

[jgaepi]

But I have a strip of landscaping concrete around. I do like the double stack idea. But then I was just going to use heavy duty steel poles 72inches tall. My other thought is that chickens can never be predator proof. So why bother. Other than getting chickens eaten. But then they will be locked in the coop house at night anyways.