Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[Sageandonion]

Our wooden hen house arrives on Monday with a 9ft run . It's going on a defunct vegetable patch. The hens will be confined to the run for 2 days a week. I had thought that the other days I'd let them have access to the rest of the garden. Now I'm thinking about purchasing some Omlet netting so that they are contained in the vegetable patch area for the summer months, just thinking kids/dog will be out in the garden more then and the hens would probably be better off behind bars as it were!

 

The netting is on offer at the moment and with the free delivery I'm guessing now is as good a time as any if I'm going to get some.

 

Just wondering what people think of it. Does it keep the hens contained, or have they found ways of getting around it - over it or under it and is it long lasting?

 

Thank you

[Egluntyne]

Mine is going strong after 4 years. I wouldn't be without it.

 

There is the occasional escape if a hen manages to squirm underneath. I anchor the lower edges down with tent pegs.

[chicken bark]

I think it is well worth getting. They can fly over and small breeds can 'walk though' so try to keep it as tight as possible. I only ever had one hen that liked escaping and she has given up trying now. Mine is electrified so they are safe from foxes too.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I love mine . Very sturdy and I suspect it will last for decades . Mine can't get over it (but make sure yours don't find a launch pad ) and I use a mixture of tent/garden pegs to secure the bits between the poles. I like the look of the corner poles (might ask Santa for some ).

 

(Make sure you put it the right way up (small holes at the bottom) or you'll wonder why all your hens are escaping .)

[Patricia W]

Wonderful stuff. Mind you, my smaller chickens walk through it!

[Pharaoh]

Just ensure you have it the right way up and fix it by pulling the bottom row tight between posts one at a time. Put tent pegs in any bits where the soil is not even.

[Jools]

I'm another fan of the Omlet netting - it's exceptionally good value when you look at other suppliers online.

 

I have a roll and a bit which I use for temporary enclosures with the poles provided and another roll which is permanently fixed onto some fence posts (I didn't want a visible barrier so the netting is perfect as you can hardly see it). Occasionally I get an escapee or two but it's rare because they can't really get a purchase on the top of it and they struggle to fly up and over it in one go.

[Sageandonion]

Thanks everyone, I'm convinced it's a must have, will order some now. Whoever said this chicken keeping business was cheap ?

[sjp]

if your going to use it to fence them off from plants/veg don't put it to close my little madams soon worked out how far the could get they're necks through then to push forward to get at the peas chickens necks are mighty long when they need to be other than that I'm well pleased with it

[jlo]

Jac - don't order any just yet. I had a roll that I don't use and, if I can find it, you can have it.

[Sageandonion]

Aww thanks Jane but the deed is done, ordered it last night, along with a couple of other bits - had to do it quick before him indoors changed his mind . Thanks anyway .

[jimnpaula]

Jac - don't order any just yet. I had a roll that I don't use and, if I can find it, you can have it.

 

I'll have it if you're willing

 

p

[jlo]

I am a bit of a distance from you! Jac only lives up the road and I could have passed it over to her at work! If you are passing Junction 5 of the M3 PM me and maybe we can sort something out!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

chickens necks are mighty long when they need to be

 

I can vouch for that

 

[Sageandonion]

Great pic ANH

[beach chick]

oh ANH, how could you be so mean as to keep them off that lovely fresh bright clean green grass??

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Mwah hah hah

[Plum]

oh ANH, how could you be so mean as to keep them off that lovely fresh bright clean green grass??

 

Wash your mouth out that is holy ground.

[jimnpaula]

Have PM'd you jlo

 

P

[docsquid]

Mine is really useful. It is very flexible and allows us to put the chickens into different bits of the garden while retaining access for them to the WIR/Eglu/Cube. One of our chooks is good at escaping (Gwennie - a Gingernut who can fly quite well despite clipped wings). But on the whole it works and keeps the bantams restrained too, even our little Pekin.

 

I've found it is best to keep it relatively slack as this prevents them getting under the netting, while allowing the cats to get underneath too.