The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Ben94 on April 06, 2016, 07:59:38 pm

Title: Chickens and stock fence
Post by: Ben94 on April 06, 2016, 07:59:38 pm
Might sound a silly question, Are my chickens likely to fit through the squares in stock fence?
Title: Re: Chickens and stock fence
Post by: Womble on April 06, 2016, 08:06:32 pm
No, but they'll probably fly over it.


When we had an area re-fenced,  we used horse rylock, which has smaller squares than normal. That meant that we could rear even young pullets without them squeezing through.
Title: Re: Chickens and stock fence
Post by: Ben94 on April 06, 2016, 08:11:07 pm
Even with wings clipped?
Title: Re: Chickens and stock fence
Post by: Eve on April 06, 2016, 08:32:23 pm
Our neighbours tried stock fencing, failed miserably. The chickens will fit through the gaps unless they're very large, most chickens are much skinnier than their feathers make them seem. And they will indeed also fly over.


If you clip their wings they can't escape from the fox or other danger!



Title: Re: Chickens and stock fence
Post by: Stereo on April 06, 2016, 11:21:15 pm
Most breeds will fit through the higher holes on standard C8, yes. Plus, if they can see the top of the post, they will fly up on that, often with clipped wings.
Title: Re: Chickens and stock fence
Post by: Womble on April 07, 2016, 06:59:14 am
Interesting!  I've never seen a fully grown hen go through the holes in our rylock, though the ducks definitely do. Perhaps that's just because it's easier to go over the top?
Title: Re: Chickens and stock fence
Post by: Backinwellies on April 07, 2016, 08:03:55 am
Ducks go through  and yes hens tend to find way over
Title: Re: Chickens and stock fence
Post by: devonlady on April 07, 2016, 10:05:49 am
My Yorkshire Terrier can walk through sheep fencing so a hen will certainly be able to.
Title: Re: Chickens and stock fence
Post by: Jukes Mum on April 07, 2016, 10:20:39 am
My chickens go both through and over stock fencing. Their wings are clipped.
Title: Re: Chickens and stock fence
Post by: Womble on April 07, 2016, 11:41:45 am
Whereas my chickens are evidently obese!  ;D
Title: Re: Chickens and stock fence
Post by: laurelrus on April 07, 2016, 04:10:51 pm
Our chickens have been in a paddock with stock fencing since we got them last August, and this week for the first time two of them went through the stock fence. The first time it happened I assumed they'd flown over but the following day we saw them just walk through. Of course, when they wanted to get back to the right side of the fence they were completely unable to work out how to get back through and panicked and had to be rescued! We've put chicken wire all the way along now!
Title: Re: Chickens and stock fence
Post by: Hevxxx99 on April 07, 2016, 05:11:09 pm
Mine go through and also fail miserably at getting back. At least, if you're watching. Mostly, they don't bother.

I got electric poultry netting and they went through that too. They made surprised "ooo" noises each time they got a shock, but it didn't deter them!