July Hatch-a-Long (including 4th of July hatch-a-long)

[SnapdragonQ]

It may not be in all stores, but I used to get my rolls of Red Brand field fence through Lowe's. I'd order it online then pick it up when it arrived at the store. It was cheaper back then than TSC, but doubt it is anymore. I do prefer the sheep/goat fence for how thick it is (I had goats) but the taller welded wire was great for chickens and turkeys. So long as you can get a good stretch on it when you install it.

 

[AgnesGray]

It may not be in all stores, but I used to get my rolls of Red Brand field fence through Lowe's. I'd order it online then pick it up when it arrived at the store. It was cheaper back then than TSC, but doubt it is anymore. I do prefer the sheep/goat fence for how thick it is (I had goats) but the taller welded wire was great for chickens and turkeys. So long as you can get a good stretch on it when you install it.

I hate stretching fencing! lol... but you're right - that's key for having it work out. I really need this most urgently for a chicken tractor (Ms Biddy's cattle panel tractor from an article here) and it's ready to go to pasture except for the elusive hardware cloth. I was able to order two rolls at a lowes about an hour away yesterday, but they called to tell me they didn't really have them and none more than 10 ft was available online that I could find. TSC told me they have no idea when they will get more in as the manufacturers were closed for a while leading up to the shortage. Red Brand looks like they're coming through for me though! Woo hoo!!

 

[CindyinSD]

You just saved me $50 with this convo! THANK YOU!!!!

I don't know if you guys have tried shopping hardware cloth lately, but around here... there is none. 0. Not even the short rolls.

I ordered a roll on amazon for $180 last night which I just canceled when I saw you mention redbrand fencing. Last time I bought some from rural king, they shipped it to me direct from redbrand. Turns out they have an online store and buying direct was $130 even after shipping.

Wow! I just looked it up on our Menards store. A 4x25' roll of 1/2" is $46, shipped to the store. They don't have it in stock, which is unusual, but it sounds like they think they can get it... maybe I should order some. I use that stuff constantly.

 

[AgnesGray]

Wow! I just looked it up on our Menards store. A 4x25' roll of 1/2" is $46, shipped to the store. They don't have it in stock, which is unusual, but it sounds like they think they can get it... maybe I should order some. I use that stuff constantly.

So do I!!! They tell me it is coming back, just will be slow. If you need it regularly, might not be a terrible idea. Menards is a bit of a drive, but I'm going to check that out to maybe have some extra on hand. We had planned to expand the duck run since we added ducks, but this whole thing took us by surprise and put a hold on that.

 

[FortCluck]

The Turken eggs are looking good. I checked them last night. I don't even know if I will be candling the quail eggs because it is so hard to see in them.

 

[SnapdragonQ]

I hear fencing and hardware cloth is hard to find anywhere right now!

Love my smaller cattle panel tractors and will never be without one. Stretching fence is the worst! Well, second to digging holes for fence posts. For the fence stretching I made my own clamp initially from 2 x 4's so I could ratchet strap it to my truck for the tensioning (pre-tractor) which worked pretty well. Then I got one of those "fancy" un-rollers and stretchers in one for the 3 point hitch on the back of the tractor...yeah, that wasn't a whole lot better. But at least one person could stretch and install fence by themselves.
Still not a fun job.

 

[FortCluck]

I hear fencing and hardware cloth is hard to find anywhere right now!

Love my smaller cattle panel tractors and will never be without one. Stretching fence is the worst! Well, second to digging holes for fence posts. For the fence stretching I made my own clamp initially from 2 x 4's so I could ratchet strap it to my truck for the tensioning (pre-tractor) which worked pretty well. Then I got one of those "fancy" un-rollers and stretchers in one for the 3 point hitch on the back of the tractor...yeah, that wasn't a whole lot better. But at least one person could stretch and install fence by themselves.
Still not a fun job.

Hmmm I have never had to stretch fencing and not I am not certain I ever want to LOL

 

[AgnesGray]

Hmmm I have never had to stretch fencing and not I am not certain I ever want to LOL

No one WANTS to!!! Hahaha!! It's a total pain! Makes a nice fence though if it's stretched out properly.

 

[AgnesGray]

My broody ducks continue to eat their eggs. My last few hatches of their eggs they all hatched and I know they were good at around day 10. I am really a bit disturbed at their incubation practices. Probably down to 6 or 7 eggs with a week to go.

My sweet broody wyandotte is still sitting on no eggs in her rollaway box. She hangs onto them a little bit and then they eventually slip back. She's very good about letting me reach under her to check what she's got. Everyone is giving her their eggs which then roll away, but she is still sitting after 2 weeks and I think I'm going to set her up in a brooder with some of the langshan eggs that are in the bator.

 

[FortCluck]

No one WANTS to!!! Hahaha!! It's a total pain! Makes a nice fence though if it's stretched out properly.

I am sure some day I will have have to do it. Right now we are just using the heavy duty deer fencing. It works because our neighbors dog keeps the predators away.