An ascetically pleasing garden chicken barrier

Awnry Abe · #1 04/10/14, 11:10 AM

Next on my rather lengthy honey-do list is to put raised beds in the backyard. We have free range chickens, and the backyard is "in their range". I'm not going to waste my time if I can't solve the chicken issue. We have a backyard with a nice view overlooking rolling pasture and lake. I don't want to obliterate the view with poultry or deer netting.

My DD, who is my source for poultry knowledge, tells me that it isn't the height of the fence that matters, it is the perching spot that enables fly-overs. She thinks that a low picket fence will work as long as the stiles are tipped or angled to prevent the perch. She claims they don't fly over and clear a fence without a stop at the top.

I'm basically asking for confirmation of this before I start to put that plan in motion. Or if you have other suggestions, they would be appreciated as well.

Freya · #2 04/10/14, 11:23 AM

Well I have seen animals do many supposedly "impossible" things, so I propose a test bed.

Make a tiny temporary square bed, put something extremely yummy in it (ready to go fav chicken food... not planting something) and then put up a few pickets. Call the chickens over (entice with said yummies). Should be cheap or free if you scrounge it all.

Then watch. You will have your answer shortly.

Freya · #3 04/10/14, 11:26 AM

Oh and take a video. Should be very entertaining!

Callieslamb · #4 04/10/14, 11:49 AM

It would depend on the breed. Some of mine can go right over a 4 foot fence. Would you be against a flower hedge? Or flowering vines in the view? I grow sunflowers in front of my chicken run. I just planted a trumpet vine to grow up and over the top also. Martha Stewart grows huge old garden roses along the perimeter of her chicken runs.

Awnry Abe · #5 04/10/14, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freya

Well I have seen animals do many supposedly "impossible" things, so I propose a test bed.

Make a tiny temporary square bed, put something extremely yummy in it (ready to go fav chicken food... not planting something) and then put up a few pickets. Call the chickens over (entice with said yummies). Should be cheap or free if you scrounge it all.

Then watch. You will have your answer shortly.

Good idea!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Callieslamb

It would depend on the breed. Some of mine can go right over a 4 foot fence. Would you be against a flower hedge? Or flowering vines in the view? I grow sunflowers in front of my chicken run. I just planted a trumpet vine to grow up and over the top also. Martha Stewart grows huge old garden roses along the perimeter of her chicken runs.

That's so Martha! My chickens are much dirtier than hers and have nothing better than thistles to look at starting in a month or so. Actually, our hens are totally free range. The only thing containing them is ocean, but they'd be dinner long before ever seeing it.

7thswan · #6 04/10/14, 02:39 PM

I have a fence around my garden. Used to let the chickens free-range until I put in more beds outside the fenced area. To keep a chicken from flying up to get over the fence-clip one wing. Also buy/keep heavy breed chickens with clipped wing, they don't fly so easy.

bertneru · #7 04/10/14, 02:47 PM

What is "ascetically"? I think you want to say aesthetically!

Kasota · #8 04/10/14, 05:45 PM

Well, my chickens used to roost in trees, in the rafters of the barn and all sorts of places you would not expect. Pickett fences didn't offer any challenge to them at all. They were an independent lot, for sure! I suppose if it was a 6 foot stockade type fence it would have hindered them but that would for sure block your view.

Awnry Abe · #9 04/10/14, 08:56 PM

Mine fly higher than 6' now to steal duck food. But they must perch on top of the fence first. I may just clip wings.

Awnry Abe · #10 04/10/14, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertneru

What is "ascetically"? I think you want to say aesthetically!

I meant for you to understand what I meant to say, which apparently you did.