I need suggestions for raising the height of a chain-link fence.

[redinator]

My chicks are 7 weeks old and I'd like to free range them. The biggest obstacle is my neighbors 4 ft. high chain-link fence along one side of the property, roughly 60ft long. I know for a fact one of my chicks could clear it easily if she wanted to. I'm 5'6" and she can fly from the ground to my shoulder with very little effort.

My two dogs do a good job of keeping other critters out of our yard, but if the chicks got over the fence all bets would be off. Several neighbors have cats and there are some dogs that wander the neighborhood that seem to 'get out' regularly.

Any suggestions on how to raise the height of the fence would be greatly appreciated. Once the height is corrected I plan to run hardware cloth along the bottom 2-3 ft. to prevent any young chicks (when I get more) from getting through the chain-link. The rest of our yard is surrounded by a 6ft high privacy fence with pavers under the fence line to prevent my dogs from digging out.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I assume you have the right to add on or alter this fence? Just checking on that first.

Ideally you'd want something that not only adds a bit of height, but is also somewhat floppy so birds can't land on top and then springboard over.

I can't remember who on here has it, but I've seen some fences on here with extension posts that are angled in towards the run/yard with things like snow fencing stretched across the posts. So not only can they not easily land on top of it but by angling them inward it makes it even harder for them to get up there.

 

[StinkyAcres]

You didn't mention what your budget is or if you are even allowed to modify the existing fence, but here are several options: You could add post extensions onto the existing fence. You could build a taller fence in front of the chain link fence. Or you could replace the existing fence completely with a taller fence.

Chickens are a lot less likely to jump a fence if it doesn't have a solid top rail that they can easily see and grab onto. It is better if it's thin and not rigid, like @rosemarythyme mentioned.

 

[StinkyAcres]

You could add post extensions onto the existing fence.

Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Wenses-Height-Extender-Galvanized-Extension/dp/B0CQYXXJ42

 

[redinator]

I assume you have the right to add on or alter this fence? Just checking on that first.

Ideally you'd want something that not only adds a bit of height, but is also somewhat floppy so birds can't land on top and then springboard over.

I can't remember who on here has it, but I've seen some fences on here with extension posts that are angled in towards the run/yard with things like snow fencing stretched across the posts. So not only can they not easily land on top of it but by angling them inward it makes it even harder for them to get up there.

The fence is in disrepair so anything I do to it would be an improvement. I'm friendly with my neighbor who rents the house and the property owners are an older couple that would probably appreciate someone else doing the work.

 

[redinator]

I assume you have the right to add on or alter this fence? Just checking on that first.

Ideally you'd want something that not only adds a bit of height, but is also somewhat floppy so birds can't land on top and then springboard over.

I can't remember who on here has it, but I've seen some fences on here with extension posts that are angled in towards the run/yard with things like snow fencing stretched across the posts. So not only can they not easily land on top of it but by angling them inward it makes it even harder for them to get up there.

Are you talking about something like this: https://a.co/d/0Y7vQhA? I thought about these, but haven't found any that attach to a chain-link fence.

 

[redinator]

Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Wenses-Height-Extender-Galvanized-Extension/dp/B0CQYXXJ42

This could work! I plan to cover any open areas with bird netting to prevent aerial attacks, but also keep the chickens from flying over. I just need that fence to be higher first.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The fence is in disrepair so anything I do to it would be an improvement. I'm friendly with my neighbor who rents the house and the property owners are an older couple that would probably appreciate someone else doing the work.

To be safe I'd double check with the owner that any alterations are ok. Fences are always kinda iffy because they might belong to one property and not another, or sometimes the expectation is that costs are split. Of course they'd probably be more agreeable if you point out you'd foot the bill for improvements.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Wenses-Height-Extender-Galvanized-Extension/dp/B0CQYXXJ42

Yes, this type of thing exactly!

 

[redinator]

To be safe I'd double check with the owner that any alterations are ok. Fences are always kinda iffy because they might belong to one property and not another, or sometimes the expectation is that costs are split. Of course they'd probably be more agreeable if you point out you'd foot the bill for improvements.

Good point. They might even agree to half of the material cost to build a new fence if I (or someone I pay) do(es) the work.