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I need to build a fenced-in yard for my chickens to roam so that I dont have to keep them penned in. Problem though...

submitted by Not_a_redfugee to Homesteading 9 monthsAug 23, 2024 15:26:34 ago (+8/-0)     (Homesteading)

I have a 10`x10' cheap pen from amazon they stay in. I move the pen to a new fresh grassy area every couple weeks. But I love my chickens, they're the best, and want them to be anle to roam more.

Problem is fencing and T-posts are expensive and I am not rich.
What's the cheapest place I can get rolls of 50`L x 5'W chicken mesh and 6' T-posts?
Tractor supply seems expensive.

Im still pretty new to this, so any ideas are welcome.

Context is I dont have a perimeter fence. I have a cheap amazon chicken coup they stay in now because im afraid to just let them roam due to potential dogs around that will get them. I wanna build a nice big pen outside of their coup.


22 comments block

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[ - ] Doglegwarrior 3 points 9 monthsAug 23, 2024 15:40:53 ago (+4/-1)

Search your local Craigslist offer up etc... look for free or cheap old fucked up trampolines... go to harbor freight buy some wheels attach them however you can and make sure they are low enough they can't crawl under... if you are lazy put a rope on it and push it out far away then pull it in every now and then. They will eat all the bugs under it in the shade... around the edge you can put the plastic mesh that they use for construction sites or chicken wire attach with the stuff they use for putting rebar together...

[ - ] Not_a_redfugee [op] 0 points 9 monthsAug 23, 2024 15:50:26 ago (+0/-0)

[ - ] Drstrangestgov 0 points 9 monthsAug 23, 2024 16:29:41 ago (+0/-0)

Build a chicken tractor

[ - ] ScheduledSuicide 0 points 9 monthsAug 23, 2024 19:46:18 ago (+0/-0)*

Unless you intend to cover it, I think you're in a better situation now. If you enclose them in a stationary yard you'll either have to cover it or get a high fence and clip their wings and you may still have to deal with hawks. They will strip it bare, and you'll be looking to put them back into a chicken tractor of some sort before long. If you have an old push mower sitting around try to use the handle and wheels from it on that yurt.

*Assuming the mower is fucked...

[ - ] ruck_feddit 0 points 9 monthsAug 23, 2024 20:06:19 ago (+0/-0)

I gave you advice on a cheap fence in another comment, but I have to agree with the chicken tractor. Fresh grass every day or two is more important/beneficial to your birds than free roaming an inevitable wasteland. The grass you move off of will have weeks to recover properly before you roll back onto it.

Check out the John Suskovich chicken tractor. You easily roll it every day or two onto fresh grass. Just like the fence offer, if you want to see my even easier modified version, let me know.

[ - ] WillisJaxson 2 points 9 monthsAug 23, 2024 18:28:12 ago (+2/-0)

A while back we had some new neighbors get chickens and let them roam around their fenced in backyard. Wasn't uncommon to find part of a chicken in my yard at the time. The hawks enjoyed it while it lasted.

[ - ] jfroybees 0 points 9 monthsAug 23, 2024 18:45:33 ago (+0/-0)

Birds of prey love roaming chickens anywhere and everywhere. Unless you have a couple of these. (Everything wants to eat your chickens.)

https://www.forloveoflivestock.com/blog/livestock-guardian-dogs-vs-predators-how-lgds-protect-their-charges

[ - ] Fascinus 2 points 9 monthsAug 23, 2024 15:30:40 ago (+2/-0)

chicken coup

Coop.

Have you looked at chicken tractors?

It's like a mobile pen that keeps them in a particular area. You can move it around as you like.

Build a secure pen (make sure you set wire underground around the perimeter or, better yet, build it on a concrete pad) and put them away at night.

[ - ] TheSimulacra 3 points 9 monthsAug 23, 2024 16:12:07 ago (+3/-0)

He meant coup, he is training them to take over our kike owned government. The nice big pen is their reward afterwards. Although I think they are on board with the whole bug eating thing...

[ - ] Not_a_redfugee [op] 0 points 9 monthsAug 23, 2024 15:35:35 ago (+0/-0)

Yeah, been thinking of building a chicken tractor coop myself. I have a few big sheets of plywood laying around

[ - ] ScheduledSuicide 1 point 9 monthsAug 23, 2024 19:49:53 ago (+1/-0)

Don't use PVC pipe! I learned that.

[ - ] Anus_Expander 1 point 9 monthsAug 23, 2024 16:33:59 ago (+1/-0)

Buy from FB Marketplace or Craigslist. Put an ad on Nextdoor, cry poverty, maybe someone will give you free shit.

[ - ] Gowithit 0 points 9 monthsAug 23, 2024 16:35:59 ago (+0/-0)

"Why do you need it?"

ugh did you or did you not have it the free section? Holy hell.

[ - ] BoozyB 1 point 9 monthsAug 23, 2024 16:00:14 ago (+1/-0)

Search craigslist or FB marketplace for fencing.
I got about 150' of chain link fence and all the posts for $75 a few years ago.

[ - ] inaminit 0 points 9 monthsAug 23, 2024 21:01:13 ago (+0/-0)

Buy used fish netting to make an Aviary for your birds; they would rather sleep in the trees anyway.

[ - ] ruck_feddit 0 points 9 monthsAug 23, 2024 19:57:49 ago (+0/-0)

Around here, the 5ft tall field fence is cheap in 100ft rolls. It's got smaller square holes near the bottom and 2in by 4in at the top (or close to). Welded wire, not stretch fence. Chickens can't get through it. It's much cheaper than chicken wire or hardware cloth, around here anyway.

If you spring for 4x4 posts as corners, you can save money buying 5ft T-posts. 4ft will be above ground meaning the top 1ft of fence is still supported tightly from the 4x4 post corners.

This was the cheapest way for me to fence in an acre on a Saturday afternoon.

Price it first and then let me know if you want a pic of how it looks.

[ - ] KeepPoal4fags 0 points 9 monthsAug 23, 2024 17:14:14 ago (+0/-0)

There has to be some wild land near you. Research what rot-resistant timber grows around you and go harvest what you need for posts. I grow special trees just for posts.
Dogle's construction webbing idea is good.

[ - ] TheSimulacra 0 points 9 monthsAug 23, 2024 16:15:31 ago (+0/-0)

Are you creating a place for them to roam, that they will just turn into a dirt pit in a couple weeks? Any chickens kept in one location will do exactly that. Seeems like moving pens with chicken tunnels might keep your chickens and grass happier. Plant trees and bushes that drop berries too and keep a good size compost pile. Those are things your chickens will like.

[ - ] DitchPig 0 points 9 monthsAug 23, 2024 15:32:46 ago (+0/-0)

Get a post hole digger, and use pressure treated 2X4's, and 6' welded wire fencing in the lightest gauge you can find.

Less than 6' and they will fly over.

[ - ] Not_a_redfugee [op] 0 points 9 monthsAug 23, 2024 15:38:42 ago (+0/-0)

Would 2x4s be enough, or should I get 4x4s? Can locally get these pretty cheap. I've always had Tposts in mind though.
How long would they need to be? Like how deep into the ground should they be?
And how far apart should each post be?

[ - ] DitchPig 0 points 9 monthsAug 23, 2024 16:36:29 ago (+0/-0)

Deep depends on frost line, but at least 2'.

Spacing should be fine at 8'

2x4's work just fine for light duty fence post.

[ - ] HonkyMcNiggerSpic -1 points 9 monthsAug 23, 2024 18:14:32 ago (+0/-1)

You have to choke the chicken.