EmmaJC Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 I was wondering if anyone had any advice about an open run? My other half has decided he wants to fence the girls into an area of about 5m x 5m as they are trashing the garden with their endless hole digging and evident grass phobia. He also fears for his veg come the spring now they've discovered food stuffs other than pellets. The plan is to fence the girls in with some sort of picket fence he insists he shall construct (but we shall doubtless end up buying from B&Q), then fill the run with wood chips. We shall keep the eglu and run + extension in place for those times we're away, but hopefully most of the time they shall be in their little area. My questions are, is 5m x 5m enough space for the 3 hens and if so, is it big enough for more when mine eventually stop laying and I need to expand? What items would be good for enrichment of their environment? Would it be a good idea to put some bushes in the run and if so, what sort of bushes are good? How high should the fence be to stop them jumping over it and is his picket fence idea stupid because they'll just push their fluffy selves through it? Many thanks in advance! Emma - Clarissa, ex-batt - Jennifer, ex-batt - Nigella, ex-batt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Why not get some Omlet ( or similar) netting? Much easier to put up and you can move it around. Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Thats loads of room for three chickens, I would have thought they would be delighted, two things to consider though.. Picket fencing at standard height wont be enough to keep the chickens in if they decide to go for an explore (the Omlet netting while the same height has the advantage of being wobbly so would probably keep them in) and fencing up to 6ft tall would not keep Mr Fox out Also an uncovered run can get very wet, woodchips are def a good idea so you are on the right track there, make them reasonably deep so they drain well but it may be worth having a covered area (your Eglu run?) to provide shelter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmmaJC Posted January 5, 2010 Author Share Posted January 5, 2010 Would wing clipping help with any desires to go exploring? To be honest, they're not great jumpers at the moment - too well fed! The run is surrounded on 2 sides by 8ft fencing and on one by the garage wall, so it'll just be the 1 side which is low. I'm not planning on letting them out when no-one is around so I'm not too concerned about the foxes, plus since moving to Cambridgeshire nearly 3 years ago I've never actually seen one, not to say they're not lurking of course . I don't really fancy netting, I wanted something more fixed as I don't really have the space to move them around too much, and the damage they can do to grass in a day is astounding! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Average height picket fencing isnt high enough, even with a wing clipped they could flap up there, about 4ft would probably keep all but the most determined hen in ok The gaps would need to be narrow too so maybe your OH's idea of making it himslef isnt a bad idea Another option might be decorative trellis in frames (the big hole stuff would need lining with wire) there are some very attractive willow ones out there too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmmaJC Posted January 5, 2010 Author Share Posted January 5, 2010 Another option might be decorative trellis in frames (the big hole stuff would need lining with wire) there are some very attractive willow ones out there too Good thinking! That's a good idea - I've always liked the willow stuff, plus the shops are a whole lot more reliable than my other half and his DIY... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 I agree with the others, picket fencing is jump on and over-able! I've contained my girls in the (ex)flowerbeds with Omlet netting. It works really well and they can't get over it. It's not a huge area, but they seem quite happy in it. Here's some photos showing the Omlet netting in action - it's very i"Ooops, word censored!"trusive and I can still see my girls enjoying themselves (which picket fencing might not allow ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevtheplumber Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 im in st.neots cambs and there are a few foxes here, not seen one in my garden but seen them around town a lot recentley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emchook Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 I find that one of my chooks just bounces over the omlet netting .. she flutters onto the pole and then powers herself over.. I have a similar set up to aint "Ooops, word censored!"ody here..but I have had to put plastic netting over the top to stop her escaping. Its all beginning to resemble a squatter camp so am considering WIR. Too many foxes to not consider a lid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
