Unsecure chicken perches

[shemybelle]

I have loads of this lying around. Is it weld mesh? It's definitely thicker/stronger than chicken wire.

 

[wannabe smallholder]

Looks like it, possibly around 19 gauge? Not the strongest for chicken runs (many people recommend 16 or 14) but we've used it and double layered around lower sections of run. Xx

[shemybelle]

Thanks.

 

I can't decide whether to buy an Omlet walk-in run or have one made. My brother's friend has offered to build me one for free. My brother can get the wood at no cost (from work), and if I could use that weld mesh for at least part of it, then I'd be saving even more money. I'm just scared it will look a bit tatty, not being done by a professional (although the guy is apparently very handy). My brother says I should try it, and if I hate it, tear it down and buy the Omlet one. Makes sense, I guess

 

Thanks again

 

Lx

[angeluk69]

I bought some ready made panels from ebay, and yes it maybe looks a bit s"Ooops, word censored!"py, but that purely down to the space that I chose to put my chickens in...in the corner of the veg patch, an area of 9x16ft and not totally square (due to the posts put in by my late father) and the un level ground. It cost me £132 inc delivery and inc a door panel, so quite a good deal in my eyes. At some point need a roof, but thats going to happen in time.

 

HOWEVER, if I could have done it again I would have better planned BEFORE getting my girls and to be totally honest I would LOVE LOVE LOVE a cube and a WIR combo, but obviously you have to do what funds permit at the time

 

If someone is offering to help you build a WIR for free, I personally would bite their arm off and even offer them a cuppa tea for their troubles lol, please by all means ask if he would like to do me a few extra panels for free

[shemybelle]

I'm the same - I thought I was well prepared, but within a week of having my hens I knew that I would need to change things. A WIR was first on my list of changes, and now I'm thinking that if I'm going to have one built, I should get a big one and a cube so that I can have more hens.

 

A cheap and cheerful run doesn't bother me, but I don't want my neighbours to be unhappy. I'm a total bargain hunter, though, so not sure I can resist! I offered to pay the guy but he said that building things with wood is his hobby. He helped my brother build a tardis in his back garden. Yes, an actual Dr Who replica tardis - painted blue with a police sign on it! My nephews love it!

 

Lx

[Redwing]

Yes its weldmesh, looks 19g which should be fox proof - all of my runs have this aingle layer of it and have all been fine against fox attacks (of which there have been many)

[sjp]

all my runs are weld mesh 16g inch x inch stapled at 2inch centers were I've had to join 2 bit togeather I've put an extra batton in for support

[shemybelle]

Thank you both for the info