anton 0 Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 Hi all, wife wants some chickens for eggs. i,ve cleared an area of my garden and want to fence it in to keep them off my veggie patch. how high would a fence have to be to stop them from wandering. wings clipped or not clipped? cheers anton Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bullterrier Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 hi mate my fence is six foot but i have netting on top stopps the magpies and anything else jumping in as well another think when you have picked your veg let your chickens out they will clear yor veg plot of any weed or bugs good luck with your chickens mate. ..john Quote Link to post Share on other sites
skycat 6,174 Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 I've got netting on top of my 6 foot fence too: stops the wild birds getting and nicking the chickens' food, but it does depend on whether you get heavy old layers, or little banty types. The big layers couldn't go over 6 foot with one wing clipped, in fact I think they'd have a job even without a wing clipped, whereas my bantams fly like pheasants all over the place! LOL Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MissPimperella 0 Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 It all comes down to what breed you fancy. some breeds like Orpingtons are heavey weights so only need a 3 ft fence but others like Campines are flighty types who like to sleep in trees so wing clipping and a 5 or 6 ft fence. But wings clipped does reduce the height they can get to. with wings clipped not one of mine has gone over the 5 ft fence, without they just flew over. They are great at keeping slugs down on veg p[atches but wait til your veg is established first as they will stratch up seedlings in their slug quest. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stubby 175 Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 our ex battery hens, are behind a four foot high fence, no problems if your near essex and need some 8x4 sheets, with a 2"x2" square, gimme a shout Quote Link to post Share on other sites
anton 0 Posted May 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 MissPimperella said: It all comes down to what breed you fancy. some breeds like Orpingtons are heavey weights so only need a 3 ft fence but others like Campines are flighty types who like to sleep in trees so wing clipping and a 5 or 6 ft fence. But wings clipped does reduce the height they can get to. with wings clipped not one of mine has gone over the 5 ft fence, without they just flew over. They are great at keeping slugs down on veg p[atches but wait til your veg is established first as they will stratch up seedlings in their slug quest. Thanks all for the replys a bit more to it than what i thought MissPimperella : are Orpingtons layers or meat birds ? and what could i expect to pay for them ? stubby : thanks for the offer tad too far i'm afraid, nice one though... once again cheers to all that have taken time to answer whole new world for me this chicken malarky LOL bit different to ferrets cheers anton Quote Link to post Share on other sites
will.f11 24 Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 No higher than 4 ft. Mine are in a fox proof electric 3ft fence. The wings arent clipped and have never had one try to fly away. and we have 50 odd in there!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
will.f11 24 Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 anton said: MissPimperella said: It all comes down to what breed you fancy. some breeds like Orpingtons are heavey weights so only need a 3 ft fence but others like Campines are flighty types who like to sleep in trees so wing clipping and a 5 or 6 ft fence. But wings clipped does reduce the height they can get to. with wings clipped not one of mine has gone over the 5 ft fence, without they just flew over. They are great at keeping slugs down on veg p[atches but wait til your veg is established first as they will stratch up seedlings in their slug quest. Thanks all for the replys a bit more to it than what i thought MissPimperella : are Orpingtons layers or meat birds ? and what could i expect to pay for them ? stubby : thanks for the offer tad too far i'm afraid, nice one though... once again cheers to all that have taken time to answer whole new world for me this chicken malarky LOL bit different to ferrets cheers anton I think orpingtons are an old english bred. they are probably muti purpose. get some black rock. They are laying machines and hardy little creatures. they dont eat much and I buy them at only 7 pounds for a point of lay poulet. pitty your not in cornwall as my dad will have some poulets ready soon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MissPimperella 0 Posted June 8, 2008 Report Share Posted June 8, 2008 I think orpingtons are an old english bred. they are probably muti purpose. get some black rock. They are laying machines and hardy little creatures. they dont eat much and I buy them at only 7 pounds for a point of lay poulet. pitty your not in cornwall as my dad will have some poulets ready soon. Orpingtons are big fat round balls of soft feathers, too fat to fly lol They come in both Utility Buff Orpingtons and then lots of show colours. Buff Orpingtons start around £15 to £25 each at point of lay. Other colours are Blue, Blue Splash, Black, Jubilee, Partrigde, Crele, Cuckoo, Laced, Lavender.... The Lavenders are big money at the mo. Pricilla Middleton got £250/£300 for a trio of her Lavender Orpingtons at an Auction this year! and Lavender Orpington eggs are going around £50 to £100 for 6! Crazy money. Orpington are also eating machines! they eat and eat and eat! Dual purpose, about 180 to 200 eggs a year, be less eggs on the show lines and more eggs on the Utility lines. Black Rocks are fantastic layers and great winter layers aswell when most breeds have a break. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bullterrier Posted June 8, 2008 Report Share Posted June 8, 2008 he got 12 black rock chickens excellent layers .. ..john Quote Link to post Share on other sites
huntergatherer 0 Posted June 8, 2008 Report Share Posted June 8, 2008 bullterrier said: he got 12 black rock chickens excellent layers .. ..john We have a dozen black rocks in 6 ft high chain link, with 8 x 1 kicking board sunk into the ground to stop foxes etc digging, i clipped one wing on ours as we have the odd tree in their run and they kept rossting here there and everywhere. otherwise i dont think it's necessary. Good Luck Its not as complicated as you may now think. Choose a bird according to what you want, ex batteries are great layers and your giving them a good home also very cheap. Other wise choose a reputable breeder for health reasons. Cheers Kate Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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