Coop & flock

How much fencing do I need for a chicken run?

Perimeter in feet of wire, plus T-post count at your chosen spacing, plus gates.

How this works

Posts at 8–10 ft is the standard run for T-posts with welded or woven wire; 12 ft only on dead-level ground with tight wire. Every gate wants two solid posts of its own, and 4 ft of the perimeter stops being wire.

Questions people ask

How tall does a chicken fence need to be?

Six feet stops most standard breeds and four is enough for heavy birds like Orpingtons. Light breeds will clear either unless a wing is clipped.

Is chicken wire good enough?

For keeping chickens in, yes. For keeping anything out, no - a raccoon opens chicken wire easily. Use welded wire or hardware cloth at ground level.

Do I need to bury the fence?

Bury it a foot, or lay an apron flat outward from the base. Digging predators follow the fence line and stop at an apron.

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