Chicken Fencing

There are a number of options when it comes to chicken fencing. All need to achieve two things though:

  1. Keep predators out (mainly the Fox in the UK but also Badgers in some areas).
  2. Keep your chickens where you want them.

The first is of course the highest priority to keep your chickens safe, I am happy to lose the odd plant if an escapee wanders onto the vegetable patch, this is soon forgotten about but discovering birds with their heads removed and bodies half buried is something you don’t forget for a long time, if at all.

So what are the options when it comes to fencing chickens? One of the best solutions for me has been an electric fence but this does come at a cost and requires regular maintenance. There is more information on the different kinds of electric fences on my Electric Fence page.

Chicken Wire

The good old fashioned way is to use galvanised chicken netting or rabbit wire as it is called in the trade. This needs to be at least 6 foot high and I say this because I have seen a fox leap up and scramble over the top of a 5 foot high chicken run fence when I found him inside one of my runs one morning. Wire needs to be buried in the ground about 8 inches, ideally 12 to be completely safe but if you bend the wire out, you can normally burry it 6 inches with a 6 inch overlap. If you are on sandy soil that is easier to dig, I would consider improving the depth of your chicken fencing.

chicken fencing

Boarding to secure chicken fencing at the bottom in addition to burying wire

Another option for securing the base further is to use boards around the base. This helps to keep any substrate inside the run (such as sand, gravel, or wood chips) but also secures the vulnerable bottom edge of the netting that is likely to get tugged and pulled at by a fox or badger and keeps the fencing rigid.

If, like me, you like your chicken run to look attractive, you can of course grow things up the outside of the fencing. I have in the past used a grape vine but the same could be done with many different climbing plants. Try to tie the plant to the wire, rather than threading it through to stop it from damaging the wire when it grows and rubs during the wind.

If chicken fencing is weak, foxes can and will tear at it to try to get in. If the wire isn’t taght or if there are weak points, don’t wait – fix it!

If you can’t find a local supplier of poultry wire – you may be able to find something suitable here.

Chicken Netting

Chicken fencing can be fairly straight forward if you are around during the daytime and don’t have a fox problem and would like to keep your chickens in a designated area. Omlet sell some chicken fencing that is a handy sized poultry netting complete with poles. This is a great idea as it allows you to easily change the shape and position of the chicken run to provide fresh pasture for them. It keeps your hens where you want them but remember this isn’t fox proof or electrified so should only be used to keep chickens in a given area when there isn’t a fox problem or when you’re around.

It is really good news for gardeners as you don’t want the chickens scratching up your beds or eating your new plants! If you turn this idea on its head, you can also use this netting to keep your chickens OFF your vegetables or garden by fencing the area off to stop them getting in!

It comes with a gate so that you can still get in and out with ease. There’s more information on the Omlet web page that you can reach by clicking the image below:

53 Comments

  1. Hi
    I’m clearing a large area in my garden currently overgrown with brambles and ivy and am wanting to get a few chickens when it’s cleared. I’ll have a large area for the coop and an outside run, and luckily we don’t have foxes or badgers on the Isle of Man. Will they be ok on fairly rough ground or is a grassed area better? Thanks.

    • You are right, there are certainly no foxes on the Isle of Man, I have heard this mentioned many times before. Fencing isn’t really a problem for you, providing they don’t wander onto neighbours land without permission. Rough ground is fine, they will forage for insects, slugs, bugs etc but they do need greens so you would need to provide more of these if there is no grass.

  2. Hi, you have a great site!

    Do I have to worry about a fox during the day? If I shut my chickens away in their wooden coop every night, do I still have to bury the chicken wire? My chickens will be free range during the day and shut away each night. We plan on keeping 2 bantams, how can we get them used to being handled?

    Thanks I advance for your help!

    Hannah

    • Hard to say for sure but it is a risk because foxes are very able diggers, day or night.

      Try mealworms as treats to get the chickens used to being handled. Some tame more easily than others though.

  3. Hi, I am thinking about building a coop and keeping a few chickens in my garden. I was just wondering if I let the chickens out of their run would they be able to jump a 5ft fence? Also if I let them out would they destroy my lawn? If so it is possible just to keep them in their run at all times, or do they need allot of space to run around? Thanks

    • Some of the lighter Mediterranean breeds can fly well (but you could clip the feathers of one wing). The heavier breeds can’t fly more than a foot off the ground. Foxes could be more of a problem.

      They will scratch – so lawns, unless a reasonable size can get worn down. Yes, you can keep them in a reasonable size run but they will get bored and sick unless you give them some regular free ranging.

  4. I live in an area with a very high density of urban foxes. We regularly have foxes in the garden – not infrequently during the day. If I build a big enough enclosure ( I only want 3 chickens and we have a big garden) can I leave the chickens happily in there for the majority of the time? How big would the enclosure need to be and what gauge wire? When I am around, or the dog is in the garden (he does not bother chickens but deters foxes) they could be let out to wander around for an hour or so each day. Will I need a concrete sill under the door to the enclosure?

    • Yes, it’s fine to keep chickens in a run if it’s big enough and you can give them regular greens. Grass usually turns to mud fairly quickly with them scratching unless the run is really big. Size is difficult to gauge but for 3 chickens 6 by 6 meters would be a good size run.

      Foxes can (and have) got through cheap rabbit netting (sometimes called chicken wire). If you talk to a farm supplier they will usually tell you that there are 2 types available – the cheap sort from China (say £30-£40) and the more expensive British made netting (£50-£60). The difference is the gauge of the wire and the quality of the galvanising and this is obviously important for strength where foxes are concerned.

      It is best to bury a length of wire then double up at the bottom by starting again with another length of wire at ground level. This overlap will give extra strength. Weave the two together with a strand of galvanised wire.

  5. Hi I am thinking about keeping chickens. I go away for 2 or 3 nights on business now and again. Once I have my run and nesting area complete, does somebody still need to physically put them into the nesting area at night, or will they go in on their own. The run will be secure and plenty feed and water provided.

    • They will put themselves to bed once they learn where their house is. You should always have someone check on them at least once per day though in case of problems. Water containers can leak for example…

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