Recently I had been thinking that the fence in the chicken run was the most vulnerable boundary. It is our next door neighbours fence and we had the run built using this as part of the boundary. We knew our long standing neighbours really well and they were fine with this.
They moved out a few years ago and we have had two short stay neighbours since and now a third couple. They are expecting their first baby in May so we hope they are here to stay. However we got to thinking that if they ever decided to replace a fence panel our run would then be open. Also at the bottom it is dark and damp and if it rotted that would also leave our run compromised.
We came up with the idea of cladding it on our side with marine ply boards like we have on the inside of the patio area. We arranged for our usual guys to come and do the job for us. Apart from building the chicken run for us they have been back many times to extend and improve. I said this would be the last chicken run job we would need but I have probably said that before.
Inside the existing fence we had sunk vertical house tiles then buried horizontal house tiles on top of chicken wire to make the run predator proof and rat proof. This meant the marine ply boards only needed to go to the ground.
This afternoon the guys arrived to do the work.
The chicken run fence as it was before work began
First the batons go on to the fence
The first sheet of marine ply goes on
The second sheet goes on
While the third sheet was being cut to size the girls moved in to see what was going on. They are all in the photo below but Toffee hardly shows up as she is by the bush.
The girls inspect
The third sheet goes on
The job is completed and Barley inspects
The girls were not at all bothered by the work going on today and were as usual being very nosey.
We are really pleased with this as we feel it makes the run safer and stronger. In the summer we will invite our new neighbours to see the girls but as they work long hours and the days have been short we haven’t yet had the chance.
Thank you guys for a job well done.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
That looks a great job , I know Rob and his company and knew they would not let you down .
I am really pleased it’s done. It doesn’t look the most attractive but it’s strong and durable. It’s used on yachts and doesn’t rot when wet which is why Rob recommended it.