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rbhollabaugh
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Reged: 04/23/03
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Posts: 64
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Loc: Hunterdon County, New Jersey
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Chickens near the Garden
04/19/06 10:05 AM
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Hi All,
I have a garden (55'x55') that is fenced using T posts (about 7.5' out of the ground) and 1/2" wide electric tape. I've used this for years to keep the deer out and it's worked well.
Now I'm getting chickens(12 Golden Comet) and the coop is about 25' from the garden. Other than being close to the garden it's the best place for the coop. The chickens will be free ranging unless I have to build a chicken run to keep them out of the garden.
So my question is this:
Will the electric tape keep the chickens out of the garden? I suspect not.
Should I then put up chicken wire fence on the lower section of the garden fence?
And if I put a wire fence up, how high does the fence need to be before the electric tape starts?
The local TSC store stocks 4', 5', and 6' chicken wire. I'd like to keep the costs to a minimum.
Thanks,
Rich
NJ
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JazzDad
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Veteran Member
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Reged: 10/29/02
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Posts: 551
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Loc: South Central Texas
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Hey, Rich.
We read as much as we could before we got our chickens, but it has still been a learning experience.
As far as electric fencing, the 1st week I had mine up around the garden, I killed a Cardinal. He landed on the hot wire and stepped over to the mesh fence. His 2 legs completed the circuit, and we had a dead bird. His foot muscles locked in a death-grip around the wire. He was still warm when I discovered this, but was unable to revive him. I would be concerned about a chick doing the same sort of thing.
If you go with just chicken wire, you'll need to determine how high your birds will jump. Will they be able to fly into the garden, or will you clip their primary feathers? You see where I'm going, right? You may have to try one thing, then try something else.
We have been amazed at how much damage our few free-rangers can (and have) done to the yard! Best o' luck. Bret
All kids are gifted; some just open their packages earlier than others.-Michael Carr
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Adron
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Reged: 07/02/05
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Posts: 100
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Loc: S.W. Missouri
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The fence on the west side of our garden is the common fence to the chicken run. 5' high 2" x 4" welded wire fence seems to do the job guite well for our 25 Production Reds. We occasionally have an energetic hen that will fly to the top of their "sun porch" then another flight over the fence. However, Sam, our black lab, feels duty bound to catch them and bring them to either my wife or I. Actually he never really hurts them, but recidivism is rare. 
Adron
You can have it good, quick or cheap. Pick 2.
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Pat
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Reged: 09/15/02
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Posts: 4904
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Loc: SouthCentral Oklahoma
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Re: Chickens near the Garden
[re: Adron]
06/17/06 07:36 PM
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Adron, I think I like yoiur dog... a lot!
Pat
"I'm not from your planet, monkey boy!"
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rfawkes
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Reged: 01/05/03
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Posts: 85
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Re: Chickens near the Garden
[re: Pat]
02/02/07 06:35 AM
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My chickens are so used to the 5 foot fence they hardly ever get out. Once I left the gate open being half asleep when I opened up the chicken house, and they all got out. When I got home from the store they were all against the fence trying to get back in. They herded easily back to where the easy food is.
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