POULTRY FENCES

Evening Post, Issue 122, 26 May 1933, Page 12

POULTRY FENCES

If fowls are to be kept in a small yard a six-foot fence is needed. Use hardwood posts rammed at least 2-Jft in the ground and 6Jft out, and spaced about every 12ft. It is better to use two three-foot rolls of netting than a six-foot wide roll, for ease in erecting. If in siu exposed position, it is a good plan ti use old sheets of cqrrugated iron along the bottom, and netting above. If of a permanent nature, use one-inch mesh netting at the bottom half, for it. is stronger and will also keep in.-small chicks, and the ordinary two-iiien for the top threo feet. .Never put boards along tho top between tfce

posts, as they will attract tlio birds to ily up to them. An excellent fdnco is nmtlo if three number eight wires are first run between tho posts, one three inches under tho ground level, one halfway up and the other at the top. The netting can bo fastened on to theso wires, and a very tidy fence will result. Gatos should be strongly made, and open inwards and uso a gate latch jvhich can bp easily worked from both sides. Light breeds aro. inclined to fly over most fences if tho run is small, and to stop this their wings should be cut, but cut them tho right way. Make it a rule to always cut the same wing, either the right or tho left, and cut only the primary flights. These aro the outsido set of 'long feathers, that is those furthest from the body when the wing is stretched out. You will noto that when tho wing is closed, these feathers are not noticed, and the secondary flights cover the- body, thus protecting tho bird. Use a sharp pair of scissors, and do not cut too close to the quills. Bemember that the feathers grow each autumn, so that you must recut them again each year. If the run is very small, and you havo a large garden, try to arrange to have an extra yard during the winter mouths where the birds can get a good scratch. * Watch out for hdlcs iii tho netting and repair with light galvanised wire. Branches from willow trees, if used as posts during the winter months, are excellent foi poultry runs, but they must take root, and you must prune off all low growing shoots each winter, .Stakes from poplar trees may also be used in the same way. Hang your gates at least six inches clear of the ground, and whilst this necessitates another board at tho bottom between the posts, it will save tho gate from catching on tho ground when opened. Build up the ground near tho gateways, and you won't have a muddy patch in front of every gate. Have plenty of gates, for you will often want to get quickly between the pens, but see that every straining post is extra strong and well braced to take the strain of the wires.' Do not plant heavy creepers on your poultry fences, as their weight will soon weaken the posts, and then when a gale blows tho wholo fence will collapse. Hedges, for shelter, should be planted on the outside of the fence, leaving plenty of room for trimming, so that tho netting can be kept free. Every poultry run should have a deciduous tree in its centre for summer shade, and preferably ono with a long trunk and no low branches. The walnut tree' is very suitable and possibly profitable as well.