Fencing in the Garden

[so lucky]

I am preparing to put a fence around my garden, to keep the chickens out. Haven't really had much of an issue with other pests so I am not trying to build a fortress, just something to keep the chickens out. Do you all think a 4 ft fence would do the job or do I need to go to 6 ft? I can clip the girls' wings if I need to; have before. They are standard size birds, two are fairly light weight. If I need to go higher, I am thinking it might be more economical to use posts for 6 ft high fence. Then I could use the 48" chicken wire, then run maybe three single lines of wire at the top, to take up that space. Does that sound like it would be sufficient? I need to keep this as low-cost as possible, without jeopardizing effectiveness. Beauty is not much of an issue, but I don't want to win an ugly award with it, either. What do you veteran chicken/garden people think?

 

[Woodland Woman]

I have had a 4 foot fence around my garden for years to keep the chickens out. The only time they have gotten in is when the gate is left open.
This has worked for standard size chickens. I think some of them could fly into the garden but they never try.

 

[BirdBrain]

4 feet of chicken wire aught to do unless you leave something sitting near by that they can use as a stepstool.

 

[terri9630]

You could try using the black bird netting with what ever size post you decide to use. Its almost invisible at a distance, will make a barrier for the chickens and isn't sturdy enough for them to perch on so they will be less likely to try to use it ad a "step" to get over.

 

[Mattemma]

I use plastic fencing that is zip tied to bamboo poles. Cheap and easy to move as needed.It might be 2 or 3 feet high. No issues with the chickens going over just under a few times,and for that I use garden staples to secure the bottom where needed.

 

[so lucky]

These answers are encouraging! Thanks.

 

[2dream]

I use the plastic fencing as too. I zip tie to rebar (which I just happen to have a zillion pieces of). Like Mattemma, its easy to take down at the end of season or cut a few zip ties for easy access for the tiller. I roll my fencing up at the end of season and store it in the shop out of the weather. I have used the same plastic for 4 year now.

 

[FarmerChick]

if 'looks' don't matter than I would go plastic removeable. that way to get a tiller in there or any other type of big situation you have a fence that can be moved very easily if needed.

 

[Mattemma]

If you use the plastic fencing leave an end open that can be looped onto the bamboo like a gate. I have not fallen often going over fencing,but it has happened enough for me to start doing a *gate*.

 

[so lucky]

If you use the plastic fencing leave an end open that can be looped onto the bamboo like a gate. I have not fallen often going over fencing,but it has happened enough for me to start doing a *gate*.

Yes, I can definitely see me doing that.:/