Just like any investment, if you can't afford it don't get into it. If you buy and expensive car you had better be able to afford the insurance and the maintenance needed for it. Build or buy the chicken coop first with all the amenities needed to house and protect your poultry investment.
I’m a very new chicken owner, and I was doing research and this video probably saved my future chickens lives! My neighbor used chicken wire and her chickens where eaten as well , but I never realized that chicken wire was the problem, again thank you so much ❤
I agree, DON'T use chicken wire! 🐔'Hardware cloth' here in UK is half inch wire mesh. Luckily we don't have racoons but I put smaller mesh over the lower 12-18" when I had chicks, you can also buy plastic mesh too (for tree protection). Little chickens, like your lovely Silkies, can get their heads stuck too. Sadly I'll l never forget seeing what the fox had done to the poor hens in the broody coop, as a child, horrific. Thank you for this video 👍
I totally agree when I first got my chickens I had a small run made of chicken wire and it was soooo flimsy and weak so I reenforced it with hardwire cloth now all I use for my run is the 2 in by 4 in wire and I reinforce it with hardwire cloth on the bottom because the holes are bigger. chicken wire is used to keep chickens in not to keep predators out.
In Australia what you call hardware cloth, we call aviary mesh. Even with that one has to consider the predators in the area and how the mesh is attached to the frame. I had a dingo hybrid, and I had chickens. Dingoes are extremely cunning, they're like the T-rex in Jurassic Park: they test the fences until they find a weak spot. Well, my dingo could tear holes in chicken wire, but I wasn't worried, my coop was covered in aviary wire... he found the weak spot was the way the wire was stapled to the frame, ripped the wire off the frame and it didn't end well for one of the chickens. Any wire mesh that was less than 3mm thick wasn't going to keep him out. I ended up having to keep my chickens in a dog enclosure to stop my dingo from getting to them. I can't imagine how strong an enclosure would have to be to secure it from something like a grizzly bear keen to get some eggs. For those fortunate enough to live in places where they don't have to worry about predators, chicken wire would be fine to use (New Zealand 👀).
@@birchmoonfarm101 I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve been going through such a hard time. That must have been such a difficult decision to make, but it shows how much you cared about your animals, wanting what was best for them. I hope things start looking up for you soon. Sending love and strength your way!
I use chicken wire on all my chicken pens but I also put roof metal on ground from post to post before I put chicken wire up. Then I put 2 strains of electric at bottom about 14-16 inches apart with a charger that will knock your socks off. I’ve had chickens for 12 years now and have never lost one to a predator.
I learned the hard way. I had 6 Silkies and 2 ducks in a chain link pen. They were pulled thru and nothing left but a few feathers. We now have our chickens in closed at night so nothing can get them.
@@birchmoonfarm101 I have a small backyard flock silkie/serama mixes, been looking to add a new bloodline, we have a few people here in central IL, that sell chicks but I really enjoy hatching them out, and you have such beautiful birds, I'd be interested in 4 of your black or blue, I have a really nice setup we bought a house that has a large room built into the garage that has heat and air conditioning so it really nice for them and a really really secure run lol I think I over did it .. lol all my littles lived inside until we moved in June so I was super paranoid about them being outside lol, I love my babies, if any hatch out this time of year they won't go outside until warm weather in spring. I live in Middletown IL, if you could access how much shipping could be I can send a check and once it cleared you could ship eggs, so please just let me know if that's a possibility Thanks Annette
Hi Annette! Thank you! It sounds like you have a wonderful set up for your babies! Unfortunately, because I have a mixed colored flock, they will be non-standard colors, kinda considered "mutts", another term you hear in breeding is "fun pen". I love mixed colored chickens though. I used to breed with seperated flocks to ensure colors, but I no longer do that. So you could get a mix colored chicken. Is that what you would be interested in still? I would be happy to recommend reputable breeders who have beautiful silkies where you would know the coloring.
Necessary topic. Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it
Just like any investment, if you can't afford it don't get into it. If you buy and expensive car you had better be able to afford the insurance and the maintenance needed for it. Build or buy the chicken coop first with all the amenities needed to house and protect your poultry investment.
I’m a very new chicken owner, and I was doing research and this video probably saved my future chickens lives! My neighbor used chicken wire and her chickens where eaten as well , but I never realized that chicken wire was the problem, again thank you so much ❤
I agree, DON'T use chicken wire! 🐔'Hardware cloth' here in UK is half inch wire mesh. Luckily we don't have racoons but I put smaller mesh over the lower 12-18" when I had chicks, you can also buy plastic mesh too (for tree protection). Little chickens, like your lovely Silkies, can get their heads stuck too. Sadly I'll l never forget seeing what the fox had done to the poor hens in the broody coop, as a child, horrific. Thank you for this video 👍
I am so sorry you had to witness that. Must have been so hard!
I totally agree when I first got my chickens I had a small run made of chicken wire and it was soooo flimsy and weak so I reenforced it with hardwire cloth now all I use for my run is the 2 in by 4 in wire and I reinforce it with hardwire cloth on the bottom because the holes are bigger. chicken wire is used to keep chickens in not to keep predators out.
Those two together are even better! Smart!
In Australia what you call hardware cloth, we call aviary mesh. Even with that one has to consider the predators in the area and how the mesh is attached to the frame. I had a dingo hybrid, and I had chickens. Dingoes are extremely cunning, they're like the T-rex in Jurassic Park: they test the fences until they find a weak spot. Well, my dingo could tear holes in chicken wire, but I wasn't worried, my coop was covered in aviary wire... he found the weak spot was the way the wire was stapled to the frame, ripped the wire off the frame and it didn't end well for one of the chickens. Any wire mesh that was less than 3mm thick wasn't going to keep him out. I ended up having to keep my chickens in a dog enclosure to stop my dingo from getting to them. I can't imagine how strong an enclosure would have to be to secure it from something like a grizzly bear keen to get some eggs. For those fortunate enough to live in places where they don't have to worry about predators, chicken wire would be fine to use (New Zealand 👀).
It’s actually cheaper in the long run using hardware cloth. Lasts much longer and you don’t have to constantly replace your chickens. 😉
Great point!
Thank you. Im close tu finishing coop; well my husband, and he did buy that wire you showed on video.
Hi! Glad I could help! SO good!
Why you are not posting any new videos? :(
Hi Im sorry. My health & life imploded and I had to sell all my animals because I couldnt take care of them properly. :(
@@birchmoonfarm101 I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve been going through such a hard time. That must have been such a difficult decision to make, but it shows how much you cared about your animals, wanting what was best for them. I hope things start looking up for you soon. Sending love and strength your way!
I use chicken wire on all my chicken pens but I also put roof metal on ground from post to post before I put chicken wire up. Then I put 2 strains of electric at bottom about 14-16 inches apart with a charger that will knock your socks off. I’ve had chickens for 12 years now and have never lost one to a predator.
I learned the hard way. I had 6 Silkies and 2 ducks in a chain link pen. They were pulled thru and nothing left but a few feathers. We now have our chickens in closed at night so nothing can get them.
I am so sorry! I am glad your babies are safe now, it must be a such a relief for you.
Do you ever ship fertile eggs?
I have'nt because the chickens in this video are not breeder quality silkies. Is that something you would be interested in?
@@birchmoonfarm101 I have a small backyard flock silkie/serama mixes, been looking to add a new bloodline, we have a few people here in central IL, that sell chicks but I really enjoy hatching them out, and you have such beautiful birds, I'd be interested in 4 of your black or blue, I have a really nice setup we bought a house that has a large room built into the garage that has heat and air conditioning so it really nice for them and a really really secure run lol I think I over did it .. lol all my littles lived inside until we moved in June so I was super paranoid about them being outside lol, I love my babies, if any hatch out this time of year they won't go outside until warm weather in spring. I live in Middletown IL, if you could access how much shipping could be I can send a check and once it cleared you could ship eggs, so please just let me know if that's a possibility Thanks Annette
Hi Annette! Thank you! It sounds like you have a wonderful set up for your babies! Unfortunately, because I have a mixed colored flock, they will be non-standard colors, kinda considered "mutts", another term you hear in breeding is "fun pen". I love mixed colored chickens though. I used to breed with seperated flocks to ensure colors, but I no longer do that. So you could get a mix colored chicken. Is that what you would be interested in still? I would be happy to recommend reputable breeders who have beautiful silkies where you would know the coloring.
So wonderful 💖
I've had coons chew through most types of wire so we run electric fence on the outside of all runs
Smart! That is the ideal. Gotta get mine up soon :)
❤❤❤
Hi
Have you ever plucked your chickens so they can see? I need to but have no experience. Might make a nice video. 🤷🏻♀️
I have not. I have been too "chicken" to try HAHA
@@birchmoonfarm101 me too. 😂