Fencing to Protect Chickens and Keep Out Dogs

[Pico_Banana]

I have one large grass paddock which is fabulous, but it is filled with ticks. I am reluctant to use any kind of tick pesticide on it.

I am therefore considering getting some chickens (yes, I know guinea hens are better but I will enjoy the chickens more) and letting them free range in my grass paddock during the day and putting them in an enclosed coop at night to protect from predators.

I mentioned this to my neighbor, who warned me that his two dogs are chicken crazy and that they will break through their invisible fence to get the chickens. And I have seen them do exactly this when there was a wild turkey in the paddock. So I need some way to protect the chickens from the neighbor’s dogs. I would it to be both aesthetically pleasing as well as cost effective (if such a thing is possible!).

The paddock is fenced with 4 rail post and board. Would it be horse safe to affix something like this to the inside of my fence? It has 2x3 inch openings, so about the same a no climb fencing. It seems like it should be, but am I not thinking of something?

GARDEN CRAFT Vinyl Coated Garden Fence, 50-ft x 36-in - Chewy.com

Any other ideas?

[trubandloki]

Electricity. It will keep the chickens in and other things that are ground dwellers (versus predators that fly) out.

[clanter]

@Pico_Banana

Any other ideas?

get a Great Pyrenees who will protect the chickens.

We let our chickens roam the pasture with the horses, chickens are not dumb. The chickens would use the horses as protection from the hawks, when seen the chickens would get under the horses. Also our lead mare nearly killed one dog that somehow got into the pasture… one kick she hit it in the forehead

[Pico_Banana]

Yes, this is an option, I suppose. I already have a bunch of Horse Guard tape that I’m not using.

To be effective, though, I would need to run it under the bottom rail and between the bottom rail and the next one up (it’s 4 rails) and I don’t love the look of that.

[Pico_Banana]

Ha! Love it!

Unfortunately, we need to remain on friendly terms with these neighbors, so I need a more passive solution.

[wsmoak]

I would not use that welded wire near horses. It tends to break at the welds and then you have sharp pokey things which you do not want near eyes and legs.

I would consider a plastic mesh (as long as you don’t have young horses who might eat it…)

If they are a big heavy breed you’ve got a chance, but keep in mind that if the chickens wings are not clipped they are going to go wherever they want.

If you’re opposed to a couple of strands of electric tape then this won’t work, but I was going to suggest electric netting: https://www.premier1supplies.com/poultry/fencing.php

[LCDR]

Yes, adding wire fencing facing onto the post and rail would be an esthetic way to go. Not as inexpensive as electric fence wire or tape, but once the wire is spray painted along wih the wood fencing it blends in. Many of my neighbors with dogs (and all have horses too) use this approach. From the road the wire is practically invisible.

The down side is control of grass and weeds growing along the fence line. If you don’t want to use herbicides, the weed whacking becomes more labor intensive, as the wire tends to catch and break the string trimmer line.

[QHEventer]

This is the exact set up I have for my chickens. Post and rail fencing with 2x3" mesh fencing lining it. Keeps my four dogs out and haven’t lost a chicken to a predator ever. They do go in a very safe coop and secure run at night though.

[GoodTimes]

It really depends on the dogs. I’ve got wire fencing inside post and rail and it keeps my chickens in (they’re too heavy to get more than 3’ off the ground), and keeps my dog out. However, my dog is not motivated enough to dig or try to go over the fence. My fencing would definitely not keep a coyote or a fox out. And I imagine a lot of dogs intent on getting to my chickens would be able to scale the fence.
A strand of electric at nose height may discourage them though.

[Ghazzu]

electronet with step-in posts. Easily moveable.
I’d also let your neighbors know it is their responsibility to keep their dogs contained.[]

[CrazyGuineaPigLady]

@Ghazzu

electronet with step-in posts. Easily moveable.

Yes. Electric will be the most reliable deterrent but it needs to be strung at multiple heights to catch both diggers and climbers, and it won’t shock something that jumps right to the top rail. Poultry netting may not be the prettiest but it is versatile and most predators will give up after being zapped in a few different ways.

[WildGooseChase]

It is your neighbor’s responsibility to keep their dogs contained, not yours to keep them out. Nothing but no climb fencing plus a roller bar on top is going to keep those dogs out.

Remember, in most states you have legal recourse to dispatch animals at large that are posing a fatal threat or threat of harm to your livestock. Call your local AG department/township/county and ask them what fencing you’re allowed to put up, if you need permits and what your neighbor has said.

[WildGooseChase]

But you can’t let your neighbors dictate your decisions. Their failure to contain their dogs isn’t your problem. Put up the fencing you want, and if the dogs can’t stay off your property, the neighbor needs to fence HIS yard, not the other way around.

[CrazyGuineaPigLady]

That is true but everything likes chicken so it’s not just these dogs they need to be protected from.

[trubandloki]

@CrazyGuineaPigLady

That is true but everything likes chicken so it’s not just these dogs they need to be protected from.

At my house we say - Everything wants to eat the poor chickens.

[CrazyGuineaPigLady]

@trubandloki

Everything wants to eat the poor chickens.

Or the eggs.

[Ghazzu]

@CrazyGuineaPigLady

That is true but everything likes chicken so it’s not just these dogs they need to be protected from.

True, but if somebody’s dog got in with my chickens and tried to tell me, “Well, they could be eaten by a bear, so it’s not my fault,” it would not go well for them.

I mean, a piece of Skylab could fall on them, too.

[Horse_Rider]

I would not turn your chickens loose in the pasture unless you don’t like them and you have a good local AC that will force your neighbors to properly fence their dogs in after the first time they kill half your chickens. Yes, you should do all you can to protect your chickens from random roaming dogs, but your neighbors have already told you they’re okay with their dogs getting out and killing your animals and they don’t think they’re responsible for preventing that. The most dangerous dogs are the closest dogs.

My parents had outdoor pet rabbits for years. Some lovely folks in the neighborhood next door got a visit from AC bc their 3 dogs got out through their falling down fence and harassed their neighbors. These folks verbally abused both the neighbors and AC and did nothing about the fence. The next day the dogs got out again, ran a half mile, and tore their way through the two fences surrounding the rabbits to kill 2 out of the 3 before my dad came out and saw it happening. He followed those dogs home with murder in his eyes and AC on his heels. The 2 dogs not fast enough to slip into the house before AC rolled into the driveway were removed from the owners’ home and they were told where and how to reclaim them after they fixed their fence. Until they got an enraged pet owner and a fine, the dog owners were totally fine with their dogs running loose and threatening the neighbors. This has been my experience again and again - until there’s a major problem and a fine or a legal threat, owners of loose dogs never see anything wrong with their actions. This is why I’m now that white lady and I call AC the first time I see a problem and create a paper trail. You can’t fix stupid but you can make it financially painful.

There are rolling chicken coops that are fairly sturdy but small. They would give your chickens a little enrichment but not help your natural pest control much. You could use the rolling coops and call AC when the dogs get loose and go for the chickens but good luck.

[CrazyGuineaPigLady]

@Ghazzu

True, but if somebody’s dog got in with my chickens and tried to tell me, “Well, they could be eaten by a bear, so it’s not my fault,” it would not go well for them.

I chose not to repeat the dog issue because I know it will be covered by those with better language than me. I was simply explaining that if it’s not those dogs, it could be others or wildlife the chickens need to be protected from.

[candyappy]

That wire will work just fine. The problem with electric is that it may not be working properly all the time and depending on the devotion of your neighbors dogs they may test the fence on a daily basis, just waiting for an opportunity.

While I agree it is the neighbors responsibility to keep their dogs at home / restrained etc… No way would I rely on them to do so. We fence to keep our animals in and predators out. That includes any dogs who might pass through.