The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Smallholding => Techniques and skills => Topic started by: johnmac on January 28, 2012, 03:21:08 pm
-
Hi all. Looking to put up a 'ranch style fence around the garden. Approx 90cm to 1m high. Can't decide on three bars or four. Once up I'm planning to nail a roll of chicken mesh over the top so the chickens can free range the garden in relative safety.
I've 'mocked up' a rough idea of what the fence will look like in three or four bar variety. What's your thoughts please?
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e340/johnmac1979/77665f38.jpg)
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e340/johnmac1979/22bf1565.jpg)
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e340/johnmac1979/7b51277e.jpg)
Try and see past the algae in the wood... Just happened to have four bars the same size as the sawmill is offering so it's just for a like for like comparison.
Personally I'm swaying towards the four bar... But cut off at the height of the third bar... If that makes sense?? Ie 90cm tall instead of a metre with the three bars a little closer together?!?
What ya reckon?
John.
-
Worth adding that at 70m of fence, the three bar option would save me money... But I'd rather go for the best 'look' than cheaper cost... If you know what I mean!
And reason for the low ranch style fence is so as not to ruin the view too much!
-
'the view'
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e340/johnmac1979/a1134120.jpg)
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e340/johnmac1979/a47766f0.jpg)
-
Johnmac, I'm no expert but the 4 bar looks nicest to me
Sally
-
The four bar is going to be sturdiest and maybe slightly more stock proof, but I prefer the look of the 3 bar :-\
Sorry, not much help ! ::) :D
-
It won't keep your chickens in whether 3 or 4 bar unless the chicken wire is going round the sides and down under the earth as well as over the top. ;D
-
as Annie has said it would need to be totally enclosed hens will flap up onto the top rail and out they also scrape there way out at the bottom the bottom has to be dug into the ground or laid on top and pinned to the ground 4by 4 posts and fishing net if you can get it to cover the top :farmer:
-
Hi John,
I think the four bars, as close together as you can....I would even hazard suggesting five bars....I love spending other folks money, hehe. four or five will be stronger, and will give your plants, and animlas when they are in the area, more wind protection! ...just with three bars looks puney, sorrrryyyy ::) !!
Emma T
-
Four bars looks better IMHO. But as already said, 1m won't keep them in and it will need to be pegged down ;D
-
four bars is about 25% more work, and about 3% less view!!
-
Thanks all for the feedback! With regard to keeping the hens in. I will be putting chicken mesh over the full height of the fence and digging it into the ground. I know they'll still have the option of flying over it, but it means they have a 'reasonably safe' enclosure they can fly over for some safety if someone walks by with a loose dog... Which often happens.
Once my fence is up I'll be able to put signs up saying 'Dogs chasing livestock will be shot' :-)
-
Sadly not..... You can shoot them if they do chase but warning signs like that are apparently deemed to be threatening (not sure why since if their dogs dont chase there shouldnt be an issue!)
-
Don't have a gun, but they don't know that!
-
4 bars for me just like ours. When the wire is up it won't make a lot of difference though. Chickens might be straight over it unless 1.5 metres high -depends on the breed. Weve added another 600mm to the top of ours. Consider standard wire widths when you set the height of the fence allowing for 6" under the ground.
-
Somehow, chickens will do what they do, though! We have a 5 and 1/2 foot fence round the inner, smaller, sanctum/run...and a 3 and 1/2 foot fence round the outer perimeters of the bigger field. The hens regularly fly over the inner high fence... yet never fly over the outer smaller fence.... ??? :-\ :-\??? they know where they are safe and where they are likely to get chased by our dogs - :thumbsup:
Emma T
-
Ducks are equally weird. Before I put the green protective stuff on my garden fence the ducks would come through and look for fish in the pond. The fencing is pig wire - exactly the same as on their own run - which they NEVER come through!! ::) ::)
-
four bars look better than three and it will be more sturdier
-
Hi John ......
.... that won't keep a fox out ......!!!
Cheers
Pete
-
...ahhh, but maybe John knows about the 'man-pee round the perimeter' trick. Besides even a eight foot high fence dug in two foot deep down wont stop a determined fox...they just chew through the chicken wire!!!
Emma T
-
Chicken wire will keep the chickens in at ground level, but obviously not stop them getting over it as the fence isn't high enough. If you want to keep them inside the fence it needs to be higher.
If there are dogs on the other side you are taking a risk, as just because the fence is there for them to 'get back over' it doesn't mean they will make it.
Chicken wire will not stop a fox getting in - they will chew it, find a weak spot, and break through. If you want to keep fox out so the birds can range when you aren't about use a proper thicker grade wire. And make the fence about 6ft high.
And the old wives tales about man pee, hair; in my experience, all nonsense.
:farmer: :chook:
-
Only just seen this post. My immediate reaction to the original question was, "What is the local style?" It irritates me when people move into an area and start fixing up their grounds with whatever style they had in their last spot - irrespective of whether it fits in or conflicts with the local style. Hants-style low white-painted rails look great around Hampshire gardens, but stick out like a sore thumb in northern Cumbria, for instance.
And I really get upset when people buy wooden field gates on what they think looks pretty without any recognition of the local style. (Probably mainly because I love the distinctive and unusual - as well as very practical - Exmoor gate, and fretted to see so many boring old diamond-pattern gates getting put up in the area.)
So first off, what's the local style? If that's random or something that won't work for you, then choose the one you like the most, silly! :D
And for fox deterrence - can you run electric along it at 3", 7" and near the top?
-
Ah. Maybe I have misread the original post. I thought the o.p. was trying to make the garden safe for their poultry, not just putting up a garden fence. Two different things, in which case sallyintnorth has a valid point.
:farmer: :chook:
-
Here in Perthshire/Angus there is a good mix of all sorts of fencing, and for that matter field boundaries. We are really on the border between hedges and dykes for fields, historically folk used what ever was around, around here that is all sorts. It can be so very localised.
I totally agree that some folks ideas of what looks right can be quite bizzarre... so we do have every thing from white 'South Fork' style urban-ranch fencing to the Portugeuse weaving of old branches and driftwood !! and off course good Scottish Dykes ;D
What galls and makes my hoot is people trying to make their patch of the rural community as urban as possible...you can just see the battle of the manicured garden against local nature..... but dont get me started.!!
Sorry John, wandering off topic!
Emma T
-
Ah. Maybe I have misread the original post. I thought the o.p. was trying to make the garden safe for their poultry, not just putting up a garden fence.
No I don't think you misread it OhLaLa - it's a garden fence to keep his choox safe. Still no reason not to follow the local style, so long as it is also practical for the purpose, thinks I. ;)
-
Hi all. Been off a few days. Firstly my chickens already have a 'sandpit' area 15ft x 18ft fully fenced to 6ft 4" and netted over the top. Dare I say its bullet proof (famous last words!?!) haven't had any losses or attempts in 3yrs! I also use the peewee method (Emma!) the fence is simply to enclose the garden.. Currently there is no fence! It will also allow me to let the chickens free range the garden reasonably safely when im about whilst keeping any dogs out! (lots of dog walkers, dogs not on lead!)
As for local style, there ain't one! No immediate neighbours. Basically three or four bars is the only option simply because it's cheap and won't ruin the view!
4 bars wins I think!!
Thanks all
-
Four bars looks best to me.