Property fence for free range

[jenfarsh]

Hi I am not sure this is the place to put this thread...but I have a question on fencing. Two sides of my property are enclosed with a privacy fence and I have large breeds that have no interest in flying. I am about to hire big box store to make another fence enclosing my entire property. I want a farm fence or country fence that I could put welded wire on. I want to keep dogs out!! Has anyone had experience in this area?
What fence style would you put in?

 

[4 the Birds]

Hi I am not sure this is the place to put this thread...but I have a question on fencing. Two sides of my property are enclosed with a privacy fence and I have large breeds that have no interest in flying. I am about to hire big box store to make another fence enclosing my entire property. I want a farm fence or country fence that I could put welded wire on. I want to keep dogs out!! Has anyone had experience in this area?
What fence style would you put in?

I don't think that you want welded wire. The thin stuff breaks easy and a dog can get through it pretty easy. The heavy gauge welded stuff is way too expensive for anything other than a kennel or use with hog panels. What you want is woven wire field fencing; Yet, rabbits, small dogs and some chickens can go through (it has 6x6 openings). I would think about 4x4 goat fencing or 2x4 no-cllimb horse fence. The horse fence will cost the most but it will be the best. Our 6 week old pullets can go through 2x4 fencing but adult birds cannot. Not sure how large your property is to be fenced. I fenced our 23 acres myself a few years ago using field fence. I used the no-climb fence for the goat/chicken area. Our 4' high fence area (1 acre) for the chickens and goats has a barbed wire up another 2" on top. The birds have stayed in and the dogs have stayed out (we have 7 dogs). Hope this Helps!

Free range area with no-climb fencing

 

[jenfarsh]

Thank you so much for this info! Where did you buy the heavy gauge welded fence?
I wonder if I could get big box store to do the wood part and I could do the wire part? I'm pretty handy but I'm a girl so is install a muscle thing?
I LOVE your fence!

I don't think that you want welded wire. The thin stuff breaks easy and a dog can get through it pretty easy. The heavy gauge welded stuff is way too expensive for anything other than a kennel or use with hog panels. What you want is woven wire field fencing; Yet, rabbits, small dogs and some chickens can go through (it has 6x6 openings). I would think about 4x4 goat fencing or 2x4 no-cllimb horse fence. The horse fence will cost the most but it will be the best. Our 6 week old pullets can go through 2x4 fencing but adult birds cannot. Not sure how large your property is to be fenced. I fenced our 23 acres myself a few years ago using field fence. I used the no-climb fence for the goat/chicken area. Our 4' high fence area (1 acre) for the chickens and goats has a barbed wire up another 2" on top. The birds have stayed in and the dogs have stayed out (we have 7 dogs). Hope this Helps!

Free range area with no-climb fencing

 

[DaveMcLaren]

Putting a fence around my yard was one of the first things I did when I bought my house last year. I went to TSC and got six foot tall "T posts" and four foot tall welded wire goat fence. It's the easiest thing to install, and If you are careful, than you can make it look presentable. I fenced in a half acre for about $1,000, if my memory serves me correctly... and a bit of sweat equity. I can't think of any better/cheaper way to go.

 

[DaveMcLaren]

Just remember, that dogs can dig as well as any other four legged creature. My fence does a great job of keeping my chickens in, but I had to train my dog not to dig her way out of the yard.

 

[jenfarsh]

Thanks Dave for this great advice! I am not super worried about digging dogs, although I probably will run into that problem down the road:-( I'm fortunate that I live up a small hill where most of the free ranging dogs can't see my chooks. My number one enemy dog is my neighbor who doesn't have the highest IQ and doesn't understand that her fence needs tending to keep her dog in. On a side note, it got out two days ago and attacked my poor chickens. I called animal control and the officer pushed for the "dog at large" ticket and they can't afford to pay...guess who has to deal with the fallout? Apparently it's all my fault for taking their precious dog to the pound. And now my child is tormented at school....so at this point, I am desperate for a fence! And NEW neighbors;-)

Just remember, that dogs can dig as well as any other four legged creature. My fence does a great job of keeping my chickens in, but I had to train my dog not to dig her way out of the yard.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

We used a roll of 4" x 4" goat fence, 4' high. It works very well. However, pullets and stock younger than about 17 weeks can go right through it. We have to line our pullet area with chicken wire or this green snow fence stuff to keep them in.





Quote:

If your chickens have no interest in flying, it's because they've had no wish to do so, especially since they aren't enclosed on all sides. I, too, have large breeds. My rooster must weigh 12 pounds. He can EASILY fly over my fence. Heck, every chicken I own would be over my fence if I let them. Be prepared to clip wings to keep them in.

 

[jenfarsh]

I stand corrected, my chickens did fly over a 5' chain link to escape the neighbors dog:-/ but they seem,at this point, not to want to fly over my 6' privacy fence. I give them 3/4 acre of nice land with trees and grass and hiding spots....and I spoil them so much they mostly stay close to my door waiting for some attention
How does your fence look after a few years? Does it rust?
thanks for the advice, I need all the chicken wisdom anyone can give me! ;-)

We used a roll of 4" x 4" goat fence, 4' high. It works very well. However, pullets and stock younger than about 17 weeks can go right through it. We have to line our pullet area with chicken wire or this green snow fence stuff to keep them in.

If your chickens have no interest in flying, it's because they've had no wish to do so, especially since they aren't enclosed on all sides. I, too, have large breeds. My rooster must weigh 12 pounds. He can EASILY fly over my fence. Heck, every chicken I own would be over my fence if I let them. Be prepared to clip wings to keep them in.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

No, it doesn't rust. It does need to be tightened every few years, but if your fence installer (or you) put in the links that you twist to tighten, it's no big deal. our fence is just a roll from TSC, with wooden posts. We did the work ourselves. We've had our fence six years, and it still looks fine.

 

[4 the Birds]

Thank you so much for this info! Where did you buy the heavy gauge welded fence?
I wonder if I could get big box store to do the wood part and I could do the wire part? I'm pretty handy but I'm a girl so is install a muscle thing?
I LOVE your fence!

Ah... girls can install fences too!

Instead of having a big box store do your wood posts, get a few estimates from local fence builders. I had a fence builder come out with his skid steer that had an auger attached and he drilled the post holes and installed the cedar posts. Wood posts will make for a great fence and add value to your property. You will need wood H Brace posts in concrete at the ends or corners of your fences. He did the goat pen fencing and posts with barbed wire for an acre enclosure. To save costs, I try to do my own fencing whenever possible. Below is a 50x50 area that I did myself using 5' high no-climb. I used a manual post hole digger to dig my holes and set the poles (great excersize!). I threw a few shovel fulls of cement into each hole and made "H" braces at the corners. The corner posts are 6" dia and the other posts are 4x4s. I then added the fencing using a stretcher from Tractor Supply. You can get a 330 ft roll of 48" field fence for around $160. No-climb horse fence may be twice that. They often have sales if you check often.