How to Choose the Best Chicken Fencing

To create a safe place for your chickens, choosing the right type of fencing is very important. Here we help you find the best chicken fencing for your feathery friends. 

Chicken Wire

Many people figure this is the best choice. After all, it’s named after chickens, right? The problem with chicken wire is that it is usually used in hand with fence posts. It affixes the easiest to wood, which means you are faced with a few challenges. First wood can rot when not installed properly. That means some tiring work digging, and they can still be prone to rot if your drainage is weak. As well, if you think you can use treated wood to avoid rot, think again. The chemicals in treated wood make chickens sick if they peck it. They’re chickens so you can be pretty sure they’ll peck. 

Hardware Cloth AKA Rabbit Cage Wire

While this sounds flimsy, it is actually heavy-duty stainless steel welded wire. So it does provide good protection compared to chicken wire. There are a few issues with this option. First, you have to be certain to choose a tight weave, so the holes are too small for predators to grab your chickens. Second, you still need some form of poles, so you face the same challenges as chicken wire. However, where hardware cloth is highly recommended is to create additional protection from digging. If you bury it about 30 centimetres below the perimeter of your fence, it will make it very difficult for predators to dig their way into the coop or chicken run. 

Chain Link Chicken Fence

This is a good option, albeit a little unattractive. It’s quite industrial in appearance making it maybe too utilitarian for some people. It may be overkill, as most predators you encounter won’t be of the size and strength that needs something as heavy as a chain link. However, if you are in an area with more bears or large cats, this might be a good option. The number one problem then becomes the cost. This is one of the most expensive chicken fence options. 

Chicken Safety Fence

Chicken safety fence as a choice comes with a resounding no. It is flimsy plastic designed for very temporary use. As well, it is bright orange and can actually attract predators. This is not worth your effort or money as while it keeps the chickens in, it does nothing to keep predators out! 

Electric Chicken Fencing

This is a bit controversial. While it does an excellent job of keeping predators away, it can also zap your poor chickees. So really, this is not a nice idea at all. While the chickens will learn not to touch it eventually, it just seems cruel to make them go through that learning curve! It also uses up electricity, so you have to have access to an outlet, otherwise, you’re looking at major dollars to install something like solar-powered fencing. 

Metal Chicken Fence Panels

Metal fence panels are probably one of the best options for several reasons: 

1. The panels are premade so are easier to install
2. They are very sturdy
3. They are low maintenance and highly durable
4. The wire meshing is made of a tight design mesh keeping hungry predator paws and claws away
5. The fencing can be used as a temporary fencing option until you decide to build a sturdier, permanent coop or chicken run

Install panels with a hardware cloth apron and you’ve for yourself a sturdy Chicken Fence in Calgary that looks, good, keeps the chickens enclosed and provides full protection from digging predators. 

As you can see you have many chicken fencing options with their own pros and cons. However, if you want something affordable and easy to install or an ideal temporary fencing option, metal chicken fence panels are the way to go.