Fencing a chicken run: what works best?

Is chicken wire secure enough to keep chickens safe in their run? And if not, what is?

Whether you have a run extending to an acre or more or a small area contained in your garden or back yard, it needs to be safe for your flock. The perfect fencing for a chicken run needs to keep predators out and your chickens in.

Chicken wire fencing: does it work?

The short answer is "no".

Wire like this – the standard roll of chicken wire – is inexpensive and easy enough to work with. It will certainly keep chickens in (but not baby chicks – the holes are big enough for them to get through).

But it's simply not strong enough to keep predators out.

The downsides of using chicken wire as run fencing.

• Rodents and members of the weasel family will easily fit through holes this big.

• Raccoons will simply tear it apart.

• Foxes will try to climb it, and although it may not support their weight they will easily be able to get to the top.

• Dogs and coyotes will pull it up and / or burrow underneath it.

Is netting an effective fencing for a chicken run?

This kind of portable fencing can be useful. I have used Omlet's version for years – both the old (Mark 1) and the new (Mark 2) versions.

It's robust and versatile, and if you're looking for a way to keep chickens in, rather than keep predators out, it's ideal.

I have a full review of Omlet's portable chicken fencing, here.

But remember: this is not predator-proof. Use it within your outer, secure run, or as a way of keeping your flock off your flower beds, or on that veggie patch you want turning over.

Just don't expect it to keep your chickens safe from a hungry fox – or even the family dog.

Electric chicken fencing.

Full disclosure: while I have used all the other types of fencing in this article, I have never used electric netting like this one.

Those who have say it effectively protects chickens by giving any would-be predators a small electric shock – enough to frighten, but not to kill. Chickens and other domestic animals seem to know instinctively not to touch it.

It's very similar to the Omlet netting in being easy to set up, the difference being that the vertical rows are electrified by being attached to an "energizer" battery –  this one relies on solar power.

Setting it up is more complicated than a non-electrified run, in that the current has to be kept away from grass.

This short video is a clear explanation of how to assemble and place electric netting.

The fencing he uses is this one, which has excellent reviews.

Remember, it also need an "energizer" such as this one.

Any downsides of electric netting?

• The ground must be cleared of grass and weeds. If it touches, the circuit is broken and it's ineffective.

• My concerns have always been around my chickens, my dogs and other wildlife. All reviews say it doesn't affect them and it certainly seems to keep predators away.

• The decision is one you should take according to your individual circumstances.

Galvanised or chain link fencing.

This is the type of fencing I use on my (very) large chicken run. It's not cheap, and it's not perfect, but it's as close as it's possible to get.

The chain link design is particularly strong and difficult for predators to break into.

Usually covered in PVC, the plastic coating makes sure there are no sharp edges to harm our chickens, pets or children, and the green finish makes it blend into the environment reasonably well. 

The downsides of galvanised fencing.

• It's expensive if it's fitted properly (see below), the large gaps are easily breached by rodents and members of the weasel family, and it's pretty easy for foxes to climb.

• The rodents and wesaels can be dealt with by adding galvanized hardware cloth (more commonly known in the UK as "rat mesh") to the bottom of the fence. It adds to the expense and it won't prevent climbing predators, but from experience it does help deter.

• Climbers can be prevented by adding an overhang or wire to the top.

How to create a chicken run with galvanised fencing.

Whichever type of strong fencing you choose, it needs to be...

• at least 2 – 2.5 metres (6 – 8 feet) high, to prevent chickens flying out

• ideally, topped with an overhang or wire to prevent predators climbing in

• buried about 0.5 metre (18" deep) to prevent predators digging

• secured to metal posts (wood rots) set in concrete and buried 0.5 metre (18") deep to prevent them being removed by large predators such as bears

• with an 'L' shaped "skirt" attached to the bottom of the fencing and reaching out about 12"), to prevent predators burrowing underneath the wire.

Step 1: dig holes for the posts.

If you're planning to fence a large chicken run, the following information is based on how I had my own chicken run fenced, using galvanised fencing.

Step 2: dig a trench between the posts.

To make the fencing secure against digging predators (foxes, for example), it should be buried at least 30 - 45 cm (12" - 18") down. That provides an effective barrier, and few predators are canny enough to carry on digging below that level.

Step 3: attach the fencing.

This isn't easy to do because the fencing is heavy. At least two people need to be involved (we had four because the run is so large).

It should be attached to the posts with galvanised wire, and have regular wires running through it which can be tightened if the fencing becomes weighed down and begins to sag.

To prevent that happening, it helps to check the fencing regularly and cut back any trees, weeds or climbing plants which are causing it to become distorted.

Step 4: attach a "skirt" at the bottom of the fencing.

This is an important step. 

We bury the fence because many predators will try to burrow underneath. Adding a barrier which goes out from the bottom of the fence for about 30cm (12"), forming an 'L' shape, is another layer of protection.

I used chicken wire for this and attached it with zip fasteners attached to both parts of the 'L' in a figure 8.

If predators wanted to, they could rip through the chicken wire and bite through the zip fastener. But most won't bother. They'll try something else or, hopefully, give up altogether.

Here you can see the chicken wire spread across about 12" of ground from the fence. 

Step 5: cover the skirt with earth.

Once you've secured the "skirt" right round the run (warning: it takes hours!) it's time to cover it with earth and, preferably, grass.

The grass then grows down through the chicken wire skirt and digging beneath it is virtually impossible.

Mine has been in place now for about ten years, and has never been breached.

Step 6: add a gate.

You need a way to get into the run!

Adding a gate is potentially a weakness in the design. If possible it should be metal, not wood (wood is too easy to gnaw through), the same height as the fencing, and secured with a sliding bolt which latches down.

Raccoons are excellent at undoing latches, so if they are one of your predator groups it would be wise to add a padlock.

Step 7: sit back and enjoy your work!

Once that's done, you have a secure chicken run. Enjoy it, in the knowledge that you have made your chickens as secure as it's possible to be.

The perfect run for a smaller space: Omlet chicken fencing.

If your coop is in a small space such as a garden, you won't necessarily want to go to the time and expense of adding such a sophisticated fencing design. And it won't make your garden look very pretty...

In that case, my recommendation would be to look at runs from Omlet – the company who make the popular Eglu chicken coops. I own an Eglu Cube, so I can testify to the quality of these products.

The Omlet runs which attach to the Eglu coops are built specifically to prevent predators. The mesh fencing is incredibly strong and the holes are too small for anything but the smallest of field mice to get through.

There's a "skirt" of the same wire mesh, held down with special plastic screws which means it will lie flat on even uneven ground (which mine is), and the door latch fits through two loops, so is not easily opened.

It's possible to buy a small run at the same time as a coop. Mine is the height of the Eglu Cube, and 3 metres (nearly 10 feet) long.

My only issue with it is having to crawl inside to get to chickens who refuse to roost at night!

The smaller runs are designed to work only with Omlet's own coops. So what if you don't have one?

Enter the walk-in run!

Omlet's walk-in runs fit with any stand-alone coop.

I use my Eglu Cube chicken coop to house new chicks, or adults who need to be separated for some reason.

My aim is to upgrade to one of the company's walk-in runs. As secure as the small runs, they have the same mesh design, the same "skirt" and an even more intricate door lock which will confuse any predator. 

They can work either with Omlet's own coops, or with any other small stand-alone coop.

And the best thing? They're as predator proof as you can get, whether that predator is land- or air-based.

Read my full review of all Omlet's chicken runs.

Other pages you will find useful.