What is the best, inexpensive fencing to keep chooks out of garden?

[DerbyChook]

Hope this is the right forum! I need ideas for garden fencing. My chickens free range in the yard most days and have destroyed the veggie garden plot. I want to get it into shape this weekend and come up with a not too expensive way to keep the flock out over the summer. I found some *perfect* used picket fencing on Cragslist last weekend, but alas it was sold before I called

The only other affordable idea I have is metal pound in stakes and the wire fencing. Even that is a bit pricey! If I go that direction, I will have to grow a pretty vine to cover the ugly and figure out how to build a gate.

 

[dsqard]

I would think the cheapest way you could go about it is T-posts and chicken wire. You might be able to get away with smaller posts (maybe find some rebar?). Just some ideas.

 

[schellie69]

I used t-bars and chicken wire it works to keep chickens out of stuff. I went to wooden post and welded wire this year need to keep dogs out also.

 

[DerbyChook]

I may try this as at least a temporary solution. http://www.gardeners.com/garden-fence-kit/GardenPests_FencesBarriers,38-111,default,cp.html. Then I can start planting right away and take the time to build or scavenge something nicer later. Looks like it would make a good temporary enclosure for chicks who needed some outside time as well.

 

[Judy]

Hmmm, 48' of fence in that link. Chicken wire, the lightweight stuff which will work for chickens, might be cheaper. I'm told metal pound-in fence post prices have gone down lately. I used 6' chicken wire, cheap stuff, and the chickens never went through or over.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Anything will keep them out.

I'd use "deer netting"

You can usually get it 7 ft tall X 100 ft for less than $20

 

[patandchickens]

For now, just get some deer netting (more durable) or cheap garden netting (not so much) or whatever kind of other mesh you can find on super sale. You might want to cut the deer netting down shorter.

You needn't use T-posts at this point, just stakes will work fine as long as they are tall enough for the fence adn driven WELL into the ground.

Then you can upgrade to something spiffier-looking if/when such becomes available to you

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Fred's Hens]

Quote:
+1 Great for deer and the chickens too. But the heavy gauge stuff I use is $60 at Home Depot.

 

[wannabchick]

Quote:
looks good to me
xoxoxo

 

[CAMathMom]

I guess mine aren't that determined to get in the garden. I put in the cheap rabbit fencing and that has kept the girls out of our 8'x8' raised bed garden where they previously spent a lot of time scratching. It wouldn't be practical for a real sized garden, though. I am sure we'll need to upgrade the fence when more plants start to come up.