Chain link vs. Chicken Wire

[CESpeed]

If chain link is affordable where you are then it is an excellent choice for your run, but as someone else mentioned you need to use caution because many predators can reach through to do damage. To minimize this we placed our chain link on the outside of the run posts (in our case we had 4x6x8 ft cedar posts salvaged for free), the fence was burried about 6" deep and on the inside of the posts we put up 1" chicken wire to provide about a 4" buffer so the chickens can't actually get up against the chain link. Our inside chicken wire is 3 ft high, so even are tallest bird can't stick his head up over it to get himself into trouble. I think we will be replacing the chicken wire with 1/2" hardware cloth in the future for my added peace of mind. On the outside perimeter of the run we piled flat rocks all the way around and about 1.5 ft out, many are very heavy and should deter anything from getting up against the chain link to even think about digging under it. We also intend to be adding a couple runs of barbed wire protruding out around the top edge of the fence in the spring to deter anything trying to climb up onto the 'roof'.
Adding chicken wire or bird netting overtop is also a great idea.
I have seen many pics coops/runs from folks on here where they have made a rock garden with chicken friendly plants or low shrubs in it around the outer perimeter of the run, I think that is a very attractive method of providing another layer of perimeter protection to the run.

I like this idea. What plants would be considered "chicken friendly"?

 

[CESpeed]

Chainlink to keep out predators, small chicken wire around the bottom to keep small chickens from getting out and coons and possums from reaching in. old fence laid flat on the ground around the outside and wired to the fence, with some heavy rocks on it to keep diggers from digging. Small run, wire on top, great big run, String fishing line to deter hawks and owls. Added protection, electric fence, run six inches, eighteen inches, four and six feet from the ground around the outside.

Coop floor, my personal preference is dirt with deep litter, clean out about once a year. If you are going to do DL you could just put an inch or so of dirt or compost on top of the concrete. You will probably have to sprinkle the litter once in awhile so it can actually compost and not just dehydrate.

I would not add a wood floor over the concrete, too easy for rats and mice to setup housekeeping under there.

Thank you confirming my train of thought. I decided to do this when I read that those critters could reach in.

 

[fisherlady]

you can put 'bushes for chickens' in the search block at the top of page and numerous threads come up for ideas of what to put around your run... much of it depends on what climate/rainfall you are dealing with.

For specific plants here is a guide that may help also

http://www.poultryhelp.com/toxicplants.html


keep in mind that if you are planting bushes or trees around your run they can also do double duty as a wind/weather break and offer shade through part of day. I'd keep that in mind when planning where to place the plants. Also, if you plant anything that grows really tall (or at least taller than the sides of your run) then remember that predators can use it to climb up and gain easier access to the top of the pen. So trim back branches that overhang run or place the taller stuff further away and make sure you have a good critter cover over top.

 

[backyardcelia]

how about hog wire? that was what i was planning on using, i'm wondering if it a good idea.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Hope you don't have mink where you live...bloodthirsty critter. Any space larger than one inch is not safe. Jsyk.

 

[jaj121159]

I like to use regular welded fence wire with 2"x 4" openings. I put hardware cloth along the bottom of the fencing. I usually bury chicken wire under the fence to prevent "dig-ins." I also like to put a 2" x or 1" x 6" or 8" along the bottom of the fence and a 2" x or 1" x 4" or 6" along the top of the fence posts. I have also been putting bird netting across the top of my runs. It is cheap and pretty strong. Keeps raptors out and chickens flying flying the run.