Best chicken fence

Chicken wire has so many different uses, including protecting plants and gardens or stopping dogs from escaping from your garden. But, the most important function is to make sure you keep your flock of hens safe and secure inside their enclosure and that you keep predators out. However, finding the best chicken fence isn’t always as easy as it appears. 

There are a number of different options you could look at, including traditional galvanized wire chicken fences. Alternatively, you could consider netting or electric fencing. Choosing the best fence for your flock is vital. Otherwise, you may find that you lose your chickens, either because they escape, they fall victim to predators, or both.

Choosing the right fence should ensure that you help to keep your chickens exactly where they should be, making life better for them, and easier for you when it comes to checking on your flock and collecting eggs.

Take a look below at some of the most recommended chicken fence options to choose from. 

Image

Product Name

Size

Price

61GRHnobCQL. SL75

1. YARDGARD galvanized poultry netting

12" H x 150' L

51CbuvIItwL. SL75

2. Amagabeli galvanized welded cage wire


48" H x 100' L

31IXQvkOOJL. SL75

3. Tenax Hex poultry fence

36" H x 25' L

41ng6Z6sLhL. SL75

4. RentACoop poultry netting electric fence

48" H x 164' L

412nHmPQm1L. SL75

5. Premier 1 Supplies poultry net electric fence

48" H x 164' L

Contents

Top 5 best chicken fence reviews

If you already keep chickens, or you are considering getting your first little flock, then you will be looking at options including coops, nesting boxes, and chicken wire for your enclosure or garden perimeter. Here are some of the best choices to consider:

1. YARDGARD galvanized poultry netting

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Whether you are looking for chicken fencing for your garden plants, your pets, or your hens, YARDGARD’s traditional, hexagonal, chicken fence is a lightweight, yet strong, option that should suit your purpose. At 150ft in length, you should be able to use this for a reasonably large project. Plus, as it is galvanized, you should find it lasts a long time. 

This option is particularly suited for creating enclosures for smaller animals, including rabbits, for keeping small dogs in your garden if they have a tendency to escape, or for putting around your plants to protect them from pests such as wild bunnies, or from digging chickens if you allow your hen’s free-range in your garden

Pros

  • Traditional hexagonal finish
  • Galvanized for long-lasting rust protection
  • Best used to confine smaller animals
  • Also useful for protecting plants

Cons

  • Low in height

2. Amagabeli galvanized welded cage wire

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Square-shaped mesh, rather than the horizontal shape usually associated with chicken wire, but just as effective, Amagabeli’s galvanized welded cage wire comes in a length of 48-inches by 100-foot, making it a much taller option than the previous choice by YARDGARD. This mesh has tiny openings, which should keep even small predators out and your chickens safe from potential harm.

Pros

  • Heavy and hard wearing
  • Easy to cut
  • Galvanized for longer life
  • Good for protecting chickens or plants

Cons

  • Packaging could be more robust

3. Tenax Hex poultry fence

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While many poultry fences are a silver galvanized color, or sometimes green, Tenax’s poultry fence comes in a shade of black, making this a good option for you if you feel this could blend into the surroundings of your yard or property better. This a particularly good choice if you want your chicken wire to blend in with any existing wrought-iron fencing. 

Small holes mean it works well for keeping chickens in their enclosure or for ensuring your pets are safe on your balcony or in your garden. This option comes in a length of 25ft and is 3-ft high, so is best used for smaller projects, unless, of course, you purchase multiple rolls. 

Pros

  • Treated for long-lasting protection
  • Should last from 3-5 years
  • Easy to cut and fix into place

Cons

  • Smaller in length than other options

4. RentACoop poultry netting electric fence

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Have you considered an electric fence to keep predators away from your chickens? Your flock will soon learn to stay away from the fence and the shock of the electric current will deter predators from trying to get in. If they do try, any predators will soon realize that it is a deeply unpleasant experience to touch the fence and are unlikely to try again.

This roll is 164-feet in length and 48-inches in height. The fencing comes with posts that are pre-fastened to the netting, making this super simple to set up. You simply push the stakes into the ground in the shape you want it, so you can have this in place in a matter of minutes. You may find that you would also like to purchase a voltage checker to ensure that your fence is always effective

Pros

  • Very quick to set up
  • Easy to move around
  • Shocks predators to deter them from trying to get in

Cons

  • If you place it on a hillside, you may find you need extra stakes

5. Premier 1 Supplies poultry net electric fence

412nHmPQm1L

Another good option to have a look at if you would prefer to choose electric fencing for your chickens is the Premier 1 electric fence. This fence is one of the best electric fences for chickens options available as it is designed to keep your chickens, or other livestock that you have, such as your sheep, goats, or cattle.

Depending on where you live and which kinds of predators may put your flock at risk, it will also provide protection from raccoons, wild dogs, skunks, or coyotes, for example, as well as keeping deer and rabbits away from your plants or crops. At 48-inches by 164-feet, it is the same length as the previous option by RentACoop. It also comes fully formed, with the posts built into the fence as a complete roll. Works particularly well on flat land, but you can always add extra posts if you have uneven or hilly land and need to ensure there is no sagging or gaping.

Pros

  • Very easy to set up
  • Double spiked posts for extra stability
  • Effective at preventing your chickens from escaping and pests from getting in.

Cons

  • Extra support posts are recommended
  • Extra purchase of an energizer is also required

Things to consider before buying chicken fencing

While the traditional notion of chicken fencing maybe a roll of hexagonally-shaped galvanized wire, there are plenty of other options which are just as effective and should be considered so you can make the right choice. 

Here are the factors to consider when choosing a chicken fence for you and your flock, or for other types of livestock or a garden project:

Will it withstand the weather?

The very nature of fencing means that you will naturally want to use it outside, so it is important that it will last a long time and won’t rust in inclement weather. If you choose metal fencing, make sure it is galvanized. Otherwise, you will find it won’t last very long at all. If you are looking at robustness, you can also consider the gauge size, or the thickness of the wire, on your fencing choice. 

Consider whether you want to move your fence

Are you using your chicken fencing for a static project, or would you like to be easily able to move your fence around your garden or land? If you would like an easy option to set up and move, then it could be worth considering electric fencing, which comes with posts ready to push into the ground wherever you want them. 

Size of the holes in the fencing

Depending on what you are trying to keep in, and out, of your enclosure, the size of the holes in your netting could be very important. If in doubt, it would be best to choose smaller holes. Otherwise, you may find that predators such as rats can get in. 

The material your fence is made of

While you may think of chicken wire as being made from galvanized metal, you can also think about alternatives such as electric netting. Many farmers decide to use electric fencing to create a larger daytime run while protecting against ground predators. 

The height of the fencing

Of course, you can cut your roll or use more than one roll of fencing to make your fencing higher. However, you are likely to find that your project is easiest if you choose a roll with a height most suited to the fencing structure or enclosure that you want to create. 

The look of your fence

Depending on where you intend to place your fence, and whether you are concerned about its appearance as well as its functionality, you may want to think about the color and shape of the fence that you choose. For example, you could choose black fencing rather than silver if this would blend in with the existing fencing or structures in your garden more coherently. 

Also Read: The Ultimate Guide to Raising Chickens

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is electric fencing safe for my chickens?

You may be worried that your chickens will get a potentially dangerous shock if you use electric fencing. However, they will soon learn to stay away. Even if they do touch the fence, you’ll find that their feathers offer some protection from the electricity. The idea is that any predators are shocked when they touch the fence and won’t try to come back again for your chickens. 

Also Read: Best Electric Fence Tester

Is chicken wire just for chickens?

While the name chicken wire may appear to make its purpose a no-brainer, chicken wire can actually be used for any number of projects for your garden or your livestock. You can use it to create an enclosed space to protect your plants from pests that would otherwise eat them, such as rabbits. 

Or, if you have a dog that keeps escaping from your garden, you could run the chicken wire along with the gaps in the bottom of your fence. Another use could be to create a rabbit run, for example. There are plenty of reasons that you might want to purchase chicken fencing even if you don’t have chickens.

Is chicken wire for keeping chickens in or predators out?

Chicken wire is best suited for keeping your chickens in their enclosure. You may still find that determined predators are able to create holes in the fence and get in, or dig under. A good option can be to attach extra chicken wire to the fence and lay this on the ground around your enclosure as this can act as an extra deterrent. 

Fixing chicken wire to the top of your enclosure can be a good method for keeping flying predators out, such as hawks. If you want to provide more protection, then it could be wise to look at electric fencing. 

Should I still lock my chickens in their coop at night?

The risk from predators to your flock will be different depending on where you live, so you will have to weigh up the possibility that you may lose your chickens if you leave them outside at night. Chicken wire enclosures are best to give your chickens some freedom during the day before you ensure their safety by popping them in their coop when it starts to get dark. 

How high should my chicken fence be?

You need to consider how high your chickens are likely to fly, as well as how high any predators, such as foxes, are able to jump. Around 6ft in height is generally recommended. However, you may find you can get away with a little lower. Your chickens are likely to be deterred from flying out if they can’t perch on top of a fence before flying onto the other side. 

This is why electric fencing may be an effective option. Of course, another option, if you are using non-electric fencing is to create a roof for your fence to prevent predators from flying in, and your chickens from flying out. 

Conclusion

The best chicken fencing for you and your flock will depend on why you are purchasing your fencing or wire. The overall consideration has to be whether the fence will fulfill its use. Will it keep your chickens, livestock, or pets from escaping? Will it protect them, or your plants, from unwanted predators? By thinking about why you want your chicken wire, you can ensure you make the right purchase.

For example, if you want a more decorative option for a smaller fencing project, then the Tenax black poultry fence could be an aesthetically pleasing choice. However, if you want to ensure that you keep predators such as foxes or wild dogs out, then an electric fence, such as the Premier 1 electric fence could be your best option. Alternatively, a simple, traditional-looking fence may be right for you, particularly if you are using the chicken fence to protect your plants. In this case, looking at the YARDGARD hexagonal wire could be the best poultry netting choice for you. 

We hope you have found this guide helpful in making your chicken fencing choice. If this has helped you to find the best chicken fence for you and your hens, please don’t forget to share. That way, you can help others to make their own decision. 

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