Omlet cube and run

[HoofyLoo]

I have a wooden coop with a run already attached. However, I do want to let the chooks out into a bigger run when I'm around. I want to contain them to a part of the garden rather than letting them free range all over. How high should the fence be to contain them. The fence is only to contain the chickens and not to be fox proof.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Sometimes it depends on the lay of the land and what you have in it. Are there any things they could jump on and then fly over the fence, like compost bins, low branches, garden benches etc? Sometimes a fence is easier to get over as they can jump onto the top then jump down the other side. Have you considered netting, which is more versatile (and a bit cheaper!)

 

I have Omlet netting which is about 3-4 ft, I think, and they've never managed to get over it, except when they discovered a launch pad - I foiled this by adding some garden netting above it .

[Chicken deficient]

I second the netting suggestion - it is easy to move and not too intrusive. Mine have never tried to fly over it, though I'm sure some of them could. I think it is a case of 'is the grass greener on the other side of the fence?"

However, if you have some of the more aerodynamic breeds, you may need to be more cautious.

[HoofyLoo]

I'm getting ex-batts. I was also thinking about mesh/netting. Do you think threading some bamboo canes through chicken wire would be sufficient as a short term solution? I thought £75 for omlet netting was pricing but don't know where/what to look for to make my own alternative!

[Chicken deficient]

My chickens usually free range around my allotment. They have Omlet netting to keep them in and chicken netting to keep them out of the veggies, if that makes sense. Both do their intended jobs. The chicken wire is fine surrounding the veg plot, as it is permanent, but it is not nice stuff to work with. I baulked at the price of the Omlet netting, (or similar), but have never regretted getting it - I don't think there is anything else that works as well as a user friendly, moveable fence.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I agree the Omlet netting is expensive but it's really good quality and is so easy to move about. I wouldn't be without it. Chicken wire is a nightmare - I wouldn't use it!

 

I'm sure there was someone who found an alternative to Omlet netting online but I'm not sure if it was cheaper or not.

[mcfee2]

I thought that the Omlet netting was pricey too, but when I priced up trying to make my own I didn't think I'd be able to get the same flexibility as it offers. I got the £99 set when postage was free and am really pleased with it. The chickens haven't got out, but the cat found where a peg was missing and I caught him drinking out of the glug yesterday with Dandelion standing next to him! No noise from any of them, just happily coexisting