Finding the Right Height for My Flock

[PluckyPeep]

When I first started renovating my yard, I had no plans to include my chickens in the design. It was meant to be a "dog yard," a space for my Great Danes to roam while keeping my newly landscaped area intact. But as I watched my hens eye the space longingly from their coop, I realized that maybejust maybethey could have a little corner of it, too.

After reading countless posts and taking advice from fellow chicken keepers, I decided to fence off a section just for my girls. The problem? The height of the fence.

My property is already enclosed by a 5-foot black chain-link fence, and while Id love for this new section to match, Ive read that determined chickens can clear 5 feet without much effort. Some say 6 feet is better, while others insist that a 10-foot fence is the only real way to keep them grounded. But lets be honestI'm not about to turn my yard into a fortress with towering fences just to contain a few adventurous hens.

So heres my dilemma: Should I stick with 5 feet and hope that my hens, distracted by plenty of bugs and their new "Coop Apartment," wont feel the need to fly over? Or should I go for the 6-foot option, even though itll stand a foot taller than my existing fence? The fencing company only offers up to 6 feet, so thats my max anyway.

For reference, my first batch of chicks (now 8 weeks old) has been happily foraging in an X-pen with slats about the same size as the fence Im considering, so I know they wont be able to squeeze through. And my Danes? No worries therethey wont be slipping through either!

Ive attached photos of the setup, including the coop (which is still a work in progressI just painted the primer and still need to add more nest boxes). Ill have a total of nine hens when all is said and done, and Id love to hear if two nest boxes will be enough or if I really need three or four.

I need to make a decision soon, so Id love your thoughts! If I lock them up at night and provide plenty of entertainment during the day, do you think a 5-foot fence will be enough? Or should I go with 6 feet and just accept the slight aesthetic mismatch?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

[EggSentinel]

I say go 5' and observe. If they start flying out, you can clip their wings as a backup plan. No need to overbuild if they don't actually challenge the fence!

[EggcellentOne]

Go with 6' and call it a day. It's a small difference visually, but that extra foot might save you a lot of frustration in the long run.

[CluckCommander]

I have a 5' fence, and my flightier hens definitely tested it. I ended up using bird netting over the top. Not the prettiest solution, but it worked!

[ChickWrangler]

6' is worth it. Even if it doesn't match exactly, the added height will save you from potential escapees and the headache of chasing them down later.

[ClutchCrafter]

You could install 5' and add a simple angled extension at the top later if needed. That way, you keep the look you want but have a fix ready if they turn into escape artists.

[NestNurturer]

My hens ignore my 4' fence because they're happy where they are. If your setup is engaging enough, they might not even try to fly out.

[IreneIncubator]

If you already have chicks in a similar setup and they're staying put, I'd say go for 5'. You know your birds better than anyone!

[BeckyBroody]

When I first started renovating my yard, I had no plans to include my chickens in the design. It was meant to be a "dog yard," a space for my Great Danes to roam while keeping my newly landscaped area intact. But as I watched my hens eye the space longingly from their coop, I realized that maybejust maybethey could have a little corner of it, too.

After reading countless posts and taking advice from fellow chicken keepers, I decided to fence off a section just for my girls. The problem? The height of the fence.

My property is already enclosed by a 5-foot black chain-link fence, and while Id love for this new section to match, Ive read that determined chickens can clear 5 feet without much effort. Some say 6 feet is better, while others insist that a 10-foot fence is the only real way to keep them grounded. But lets be honestI'm not about to turn my yard into a fortress with towering fences just to contain a few adventurous hens.

So heres my dilemma: Should I stick with 5 feet and hope that my hens, distracted by plenty of bugs and their new "Coop Apartment," wont feel the need to fly over? Or should I go for the 6-foot option, even though itll stand a foot taller than my existing fence? The fencing company only offers up to 6 feet, so thats my max anyway.

For reference, my first batch of chicks (now 8 weeks old) has been happily foraging in an X-pen with slats about the same size as the fence Im considering, so I know they wont be able to squeeze through. And my Danes? No worries therethey wont be slipping through either!

Ive attached photos of the setup, including the coop (which is still a work in progressI just painted the primer and still need to add more nest boxes). Ill have a total of nine hens when all is said and done, and Id love to hear if two nest boxes will be enough or if I really need three or four.

I need to make a decision soon, so Id love your thoughts! If I lock them up at night and provide plenty of entertainment during the day, do you think a 5-foot fence will be enough? Or should I go with 6 feet and just accept the slight aesthetic mismatch?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

Nest box-wise, I'd do at least three. My girls always seem to want the same one, but it's good to have options, especially with nine hens.

[FeatheredPhilosopher]

I think a bigger concern is predator protection. A 5' fence might work fine during the day, but could something jump it to get *in*?