How to add height to existing fence so the flock can have more room?

[Chilebound]

I have a good run that is fenced well etc--but I could use existing split rail fences with heavy grade wire mesh that are on two borders of my property. It is 4' high. I think that it should be 6' because anything less the chickens jump/fly over it. If I can make those two fences two foot taller--and add a thrirty foot section-- i can then let them free range on a huge area 1/4 acre--1/3 acre.

How is the best, cheapest and quickest way to add two feet to those fences (and get the neighbors permission on one side)? I thought about just nailing/stapling a three foot section of that heavy wire with no support(?)

 

[teach1rusl]

I have 4 ft. fence, and my chickens have never tried to fly over. They could, but they don't. So depending on your breeds (many heavier breeds rarely try to fly), that may not even be an issue...
Check out deer netting at Lowes or Home Depot. It's flimsy, but if you're just looking at a way to add height, you could just place a tall post of some kind at any corner of your pre-existing fence and tie deer netting up (it's 7 ft. tall and comes in 100 ft. rolls for @$15). It won't keep predators out, but it'll keep your birds in...

 

[Chilebound]

thanks for the idea; do you clip your chickens wings? I do have a few that are always going over a low spot if one exits-- a exchecquer leghorn, and a Lakenvelder; flyers. I would hope with the new area to rome they would be content to stay in thier yard, but a known killer/dog lies in wait on the other side of one fence.......

 

[teach1rusl]

No...I've never clipped wings. My only true flier WAS my EE (who died in her sleep a month or so back

)...and she never went over the fence...always stayed with the others. But my yard is pretty big, so there was plenty to do on this side (plus I don't have neighbors to worry about). I hope you find something that works for you

 

[Cindy in PA]

I had Barred Rocks that would fly over a 6 foot fence & fly back in at night, so you can't be sure even with a 6 ft. fence, but it would be better. If you staple a welded wire 3 foot fence on top, it might be able to support itself. Keep in mind however, if it sags inward at all, it will give your chickens just the perch they need to fly up to to get out. They usually fly up & then fly down instead of being able to do it all in one motion. To keep the top part more upright, nail or screw 1 by 2 or 3inch pieces at every post. If you paint these grey or green (or the color of the split rail), they will not be obvious. The chickens may use these to perch on also, but a deer netting top will keep them all in as a last resort. Deer netting is great to cover large spaces, as it comes in 7 by 100 ft. rolls & is pretty in expensive.

 

[Chilebound]

hey, thanks for the great information! I will give it a try--I think I will do the deer netting first, and see how that works--if not I can use it for other things--cover my next run, etc

 

[Lee]

I have a 4 foot chainlink around my yard. I have added height by "threading" 1/2" electrical conduit dsown thru the chainlink mesh. I cutr the conduit into 4 foot sections and threaded it down a good 18". Then you can add any kind of wire you want. I like to use 4" black zip ties (that I find in Lowe's elcectrical dept) to attach the wire to the conduit. The black ones are military spec and resistant to the UV rays of the sun.

BTW, I have clipped wings on my girls (just one wing you know) and still see them jump and flap up onto my rabbit cages that the tops are 5 feet off the ground. Murphy's Law sure applies to chickens.