4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Broadback]

At the moment I am just exploring the possibility of keeping chicken. I have a large area of unkempt grassland with a few fruit trees growing. Now I would like to let them range this area, however will they be able to get out? What height of fencing would keep them in? Or would they get up into the trees and escape that way?

[Lewis]

You could use electric fencing which should keep them in, as long as its not too close to trees that they could jump up and over.

The other way is to get a fruit cage type thing, but that would be quite expensive.

[C&T]

I would say your other challenge would be foxes...

 

Electric fencing would help protect them - but does depend on how far the trees would be from the fence etc to keep the chooks safe from becoming a foxes dinner...

 

Good luck with working out what to do!!

[Olly]

Keeping the hens in is relatively easy - there are of course exceptions, but most hens won't get over a barrier that's 4-5 feet in height, so although you'd need to fence or net the boundaries, that should keep them in. They are very adept at finding any gaps in the fence or hedge, though!

 

The real risk, as mentioned above, is likely to be foxes. If you're in a rural area then your local foxes may be fairly shy and only come out at dusk and dawn, in which case you can reduce risk by shutting the hens away before it gets too dark. Unfortunately these days foxes tend to be quite bold, especially those that are used to people being around. In that case electric fencing is probably the only answer.