Mrs

[dislaney]

Can anyone please advise on how to create attractive external fencing beyond the confines of the Eglu Cube 2m run? We've set up the chicken netting from Omlet around the Eglu in a corner of our garden and it looks great (minimal visible interference with the look of the garden) BUT despite wing clipping, our 4 new ladies keep trying to fly over it or tunnel under it, and our Jack Russell is rather keen to get in.

 

We'd like to build something more permanent now that is in keeping with the rural aspect of our garden - so are looking for rustic looking fence posts (if such a thing exists!) of good height, and 'invisible' fine gauge chicken wire (green or black 1/2" ideally) that will withstand pressure from boths sides of the fence! If anyone can advise on this - and also how to stop/prevent/restrict the tunnelling, I'd be grateful - and very relieved! Budget not an issue.

 

Di - proud new chicken mum of 2 weeks' standing

[Chucky1]

Hello Di and welcome to the world of chicken keeping.

 

I don't know of a product that would fit all of your needs, but have you considered electric fencing?

[dislaney]

Thanks for the welcome Chucky1! Mmmm, wondered about electric fencing as have our cats on an electric system to stop them wandering, but not sure whether we can operate 2 separate systems in the same garden .. or perhaps extend the cat system to encompass the chicks??

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Are your girls quite young? I only ask because it may be that when they get bigger and heavier they won't manage to get over the netting (unless they have a launchpad like an eglu ).

 

You could use something temporary in the meantime until you know for sure rather than going to the expense of new fencing - flimsy fruit netting strung up with garden canes or even rigid plastic garden netting to extend the height of the Omlet netting should work. I've attached rigid black plastic netting along the bottom of my Omlet netting to stop them sticking their heads through and "edging" my lawn . (That might work for your dog too!)

 

I also use a mixture of plastic garden pegs and metal tent pegs to keep the bottom of the netting flat against the ground - might that deter your Jack Russell?

[dislaney]

That's a good thought - a temporary fix to see if the youngsters calm down or get heavier now they're getting lots of nice treats! Must admit to being reluctant to knock permanent posts into the lawn and borders, when everything looks quite 'in keeping' at the moment. Just worried that if the dog gets too excited and charges the existing flexible set up, the netting will collapse and then it will be curtains for our lovely ladies, as he's a very efficient despatcher of 'things with wings'.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Here's a couple of photos to show you what I've done. The black netting is hardly visible so you might be able to leave it up permanently.

 

[dislaney]

Thank you for sharing! Our current set up looks slightly similar (using the Omlet netting as a base), but without the restrictive top bit to keep them out of dangerous air space, which is a good suggestion ...

 

However, I think my husband is yearning to build a stockade! Doesn't like the element of risk involved at the moment

[dislaney]

P.S. How do you upload photos??

[Egluntyne]

**Click**. Lots of info for new forum members in the FAQ section.

[..lay a little egg for me]

Electrifying the Omlet netting would most likely work. Once they have had a zap from the fence (doesn't harm them but is very unpleasant) they should keep well away from it and give up trying to tunnel under. Hopefully they would also stop trying to fly over it, but no guarantees. Since you already have the Omlet netting, electrifying it would be easiest. Our girls, both old and new, have never tried to escape from the electrified netting (crosses fingers that saying this does not tempt fate...).