Is your dog's unusual barking a secret code for something mysterious?

[NFMC]

Well...I've now had three chickens since September. They have wrecked my lawn. I like my chickens but I like playing football with my kids more.

 

So, I'm going to pen them in. I don't want to build a proper run. I want to build a wire-mesh fence that will run from my shed to an opposite fence.

 

So, I'll need posts, a gate (either bought or made) and mesh - and then wood-bark for the bit of the garden that will then be theirs. They'll still be in their eglu classic at night and in their eglu run if we go out during the day for long periods of time so I don't need to make the fence fox proof. Do I need to do anything else? Do I need to dig down to 'bury' the mesh to stop them digging through?

 

By the way - I'm sure I could put down some sort of mesh on the grass and allow them to free-range but I'm not going to do that. Had enough of them pooing absolutely everywhere.

[Olly]

You won't need to bury the fence to keep the hens in, that's just if it's intended to be fox-proof. The only other thing you might want to consider is some sort of 'kick board' at the bottom, to stop the woodchip being scratched up and thrown through the mesh.

[Redwing]

You can buy ready made 6 x 3 panels which may work out cheaper than wood and mesh bought separately

 

Metposts are good for keeping posts upright and steady

 

If you decide to use wood and wire then still maybe consider the ready made aviary door panels to use as a gate as these are much less stressful than making your own gate

[donald]

Hi

 

I made quite a heavy duty run and high but have ended up with a wood and mesh run and its much easier to take apart and move if need be. I would make some panels and fix them so that you can detach and have a good clean or rake out a couple of times a year. I made mine really high too but dont know why. Its only for my benefit so a low one is equally as good.

 

I only let mine out if I am around and at the moment they go out for about an hour before it gets dark they seem happy in their run. In fact if it rains they stay in it with the door open!

 

Good luck

Donal