making a larger “free range” enclosure

[DickMidnight]

my run is currently fully enclosed and predator proof, but i’ve got a ton of space (i’m on 4 acres) and want to make a larger area for the chickens to safely “free range”

here’s all the space around the coop that i can utilize. it’s wooded so there’s definitely tons of bugs and plants for them to pick at.

the plan has always been to circle our yard in deer fencing just as peace of mind for our dogs and kids. ive got 1,000 feet of 7.5’ tall deer fencing sitting in my driveway waiting to be installed.

now i’m thinking of going a little wider behind the coop and enclosing an area adjacent to their run.

climbing/jumping won’t be a concern because of the height of the fence. i’ll likely put down an anti digging apron anchored to baseboards, but with all the tree roots i don’t think that’ll be too problematic either.

anything else i should do to make this open area as safe as possible for the chickens? thanks.

 

[azygous]

If you would include your location in your profile, we could research what sort of predators you have. That determines how effective any enclosure will be against them. Keeping dogs and cats away from your chickens is one thing (or two, to be precise), but bears and bobcats are another thing entirely.

 

[DickMidnight]

If you would include your location in your profile, we could research what sort of predators you have. That determines how effective any enclosure will be against them. Keeping dogs and cats away from your chickens is one thing (or two, to be precise), but bears and bobcats are another thing entirely.

i’m in CT. we’ve got fox, coyotes, and raccoons.

 

[Aunt Angus]

If you have a heavy predator load, I strongly suggest adding hotwire - a strand near the bottom, one a few feet up. You may have issues with aerial predators with those trees. Heavy duty netting would solve that, if you can afford it and can figure out a way to install it around the trees.

 

[DickMidnight]

If you have a heavy predator load, I strongly suggest adding hotwire - a strand near the bottom, one a few feet up. You may have issues with aerial predators with those trees. Heavy duty netting would solve that, if you can afford it and can figure out a way to install it around the trees.

my thinking was the trees would give them cover from hawks. is that not the case?

 

[Aunt Angus]

my thinking was the trees would give them cover from hawks. is that not the case?

The soaring hawks, maybe, but some hawks, like Coopers, can fly through branches like they're not there (seriously amazing fliers) and others may perch in the branches and stalk them. The branches can also hide hawks.

 

[DickMidnight]

The soaring hawks, maybe, but some hawks, like Coopers, can fly through branches like they're not there (seriously amazing fliers) and others may perch in the branches and stalk them. The branches can also hide hawks.

good to know. we have red tails here. not sure which description they fit.

i’ll look into netting or 2x4 wire for the top of the enclosure

 

[3KillerBs]

If you have a heavy predator load, I strongly suggest adding hotwire - a strand near the bottom, one a few feet up.

THIS!

I personally accept the risk of hawks with my open-topped run as the tradeoff for giving the birds a lot of extra space. Even though I know absolutely for sure that hawks nest on our property or our neighbors' property.

It depends on your budget and your risk tolerance.

 

[Aunt Angus]

good to know. we have red tails here. not sure which description they fit.

i’ll look into netting or 2x4 wire for the top of the enclosure

Red tails are soaring hawks. The netting will be easier to work with, imo. I have both over my chicken yard.

However, welded wire will help with climbers, like raccoons.

I am soooooooo jealous! This is what I plan to do as soon as I can find someone to help with the fencing. I am NO GOOD at installing welded wire fencing. I can't get it tight enough without a better method/better equipment.

Lemme find the place I ordered my netting from.

 

[DickMidnight]

THIS!

I personally accept the risk of hawks with my open-topped run as the tradeoff for giving the birds a lot of extra space. Even though I know absolutely for sure that hawks nest on our property or our neighbors' property.

It depends on your budget and your risk tolerance.

i like the hot wire idea. ive got a little dog and a 1 year old in addition to the chickens, so if i can keep coyotes and bobcats out for good, that’s a win.