Solitary chicken - need advice

[Guest]

HI

When i build my run is there a max height that should stop the chickens escaping upwards I didnt really want to put a roof on the whole thing ie can i leave it without a roof?

I will incorporate a shelter area

thanks

indie

[Plum]

Remember foxes can get over however high you put it, but if you're around it won't matter. The omlet fence will keep them in most of the time, that's about 3 foot. I understand if wings aren't clipped light chickens can reach 5 or 6 foot.

[Olly]

It partly depends if they can launch themselves off something (top of the Eglu, feed bin etc) and also on the particular chicken. Three of mine, the gingernuts, can't fly at all but the speckledy and the daisybelle can flap up on top of the Cube without much difficulty. Without something to jump off/land on though, they can't seem to clear more than about 3' high, so the Omlet netting keeps mine contained most of the time.

 

As Plum says, though, a 6' fence will not deter a fox from getting in - if the run is not going to have a roof on, then you'll need to be around to keep watch.

[Guest]

HI thanks for your responses a roof it is then.......indie

[Lesley]

I'm a bit late here.........but.....

 

We have netting that is nearly 6' and nothing near the edges where hens could launch themselves at the wire.

 

We enclosed the whole run with a single strand electricfied wire which is held on metal struts about 9" from the ground. There is a piece of wood across the doorway into the run at about 10" so that you have to step over it to get in and that makes you step over the strand of wire.

 

The wire is attached to an energiser (Electric Shepherd) and runs off a battery. We have two batteries and check that they are topped up all the time - one on the fence, one being charged up.

 

We have foxes around all the time but haven't had any problems in 3 years.

[Guest]

Sounds like a trip wire!!

I had thought of putting it up high but not on the ground which would make sense!

But thanks I have started building a low 5' walk in run ...I see open topped enclosures around but assume the owners must b around most of the time...however i have been there when a fox has visited etc etc

I have an old energiser that I was thinking of using ..I really like electric fencing for horses .. I am now putting netting and roof panels on. But am probably going to go for some omlet netting too and def electrify that!

But thank you...indie