This is a longish-term project: I'd like to hedge part of a field as a hen-run, which means the hedge needs to be dense from the ground up and 6 feet tall. I thought of privet, because I believe it's quite fast-growing, but it would be nice to have a mixture. Suggestions gratefully received.

"gillylal" wrote in message
...

This is a longish-term project: I'd like to hedge part of a field as a
hen-run, which means the hedge needs to be dense from the ground up and
6 feet tall. I thought of privet, because I believe it's quite
fast-growing, but it would be nice to have a mixture. Suggestions
gratefully received.


--
gillylal

Doesn't really matter what you use. The choice is yours, but don't forget to
put the wire mesh in first, because a hedge alone will not be sufficient. I
would suggest a strong plastic coated chain link to start with. It will slow
the foxes down a bit, not a lot, but a bit :-))

We had chickens and the foxes got in. It was only because the hole to the
hen hose was too small for the fox to get in, that stopped it wiping the lot
out.

And don't forget chickens can clear a 6 ft hedge/wall/fence. We had our
chickens in the orchard and many a time they were roosting in the branches.

Mike

--
H.M.S.Collingwood Ass. Llandudno 20 - 23 May Trip to Portmeirion
National Service (RAF) Ass. Cosford 24 - 27 June Spitfire Fly Past
H.M.S.Impregnable Ass. Sussex 1 - 4 July Visit to Int. Fest of the Sea
RAF Regiment Assoc. Scarborough 2 - 5 Sept. Visit to Eden Camp

"gillylal" wrote in message
...

This is a longish-term project: I'd like to hedge part of a field as a
hen-run, which means the hedge needs to be dense from the ground up and
6 feet tall. I thought of privet, because I believe it's quite
fast-growing, but it would be nice to have a mixture. Suggestions
gratefully received.


--
gillylal
I presume the hedge is for cosmetic reasons and you are not seriously
expecting hens to be kept in by one :~)
The denseness of hedges near the ground is largely due to the correct shape
and cutting rather than actual species. I would avoid Yew and Cherry laurel
as they are a bit poisonous and hens eat everything.

--
Charlie, gardening in Cornwall.
http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of National Plant Collection of Clematis viticella (cvs)

"Charlie Pridham" wrote in message
...

"gillylal" wrote in message
...

This is a longish-term project: I'd like to hedge part of a field as a
hen-run, which means the hedge needs to be dense from the ground up and
6 feet tall. I thought of privet, because I believe it's quite
fast-growing, but it would be nice to have a mixture. Suggestions
gratefully received.


--
gillylal
I presume the hedge is for cosmetic reasons and you are not seriously
expecting hens to be kept in by one :~)
The denseness of hedges near the ground is largely due to the correct
shape
and cutting rather than actual species. I would avoid Yew and Cherry
laurel
as they are a bit poisonous and hens eat everything.

--
Charlie, gardening in Cornwall.
http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of National Plant Collection of Clematis viticella (cvs)


Further to the reply, do not expect any hedge to keep out predators. Hens
need to be protected by either strong fencing or, better still, electrified
poultry netting.
--
purebred poultry
www.geocities.com/fenlandfowl

"gillylal" wrote in message
...

This is a longish-term project: I'd like to hedge part of a field as a
hen-run, which means the hedge needs to be dense from the ground up and 6
feet tall. I thought of privet, because I believe it's quite
fast-growing, but it would be nice to have a mixture. Suggestions
gratefully received.

My brother built a willow 'fedge' dunno whether willow is poisonous.Quick
google shows as follows. Not cheap cheep.
http://www.simplywillow.co.uk/willow4/page3.html

Pete

On 12/4/05 12:36 pm, in article , "Cumberpach"
wrote:


"gillylal" wrote in message
...

This is a longish-term project: I'd like to hedge part of a field as a
hen-run, which means the hedge needs to be dense from the ground up and 6
feet tall. I thought of privet, because I believe it's quite
fast-growing, but it would be nice to have a mixture. Suggestions
gratefully received.

My brother built a willow 'fedge' dunno whether willow is poisonous.Quick
google shows as follows. Not cheap cheep.
http://www.simplywillow.co.uk/willow4/page3.html

Pete


We did this round a duck pond with chicken wire inside. It's very pretty
and we love it and so do visitors to the garden. However, I think the
withies have to be ordered between November and April, so times passing
fast!
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove the weeds to email me)

Thanks very much, everyone - good advice and ideas.

- Gilly

"Janet Baraclough" wrote in message
...
The message
from "Cumberpach" contains these words:


"gillylal" wrote in message
...

This is a longish-term project: I'd like to hedge part of a field as a
hen-run, which means the hedge needs to be dense from the ground up
and 6
feet tall.

My brother built a willow 'fedge' dunno whether willow is poisonous.

Hens can easily push through a 4" gap at ground level, so no hedge
will keep them in..In any case, if you enclose hens, it's better to use
wire and posts which can be moved to a clean area of grass and herbage
after the run has been henpecked down to smelly mud.

As a p.s. to the above. My neighbour has an allotment split into 2 runs,
surrounded by a 6 foot high wire fence. One half contains large 'Moran'
hens. These hens never attempt to fly out, probably too heavy. In the next
run are the smaller bantams (not sure which variety) and a couple of these
are always flying out.
Might be worth noting, at chicken choosing time.

"Cumberpach" wrote in message
...
As a p.s. to the above. My neighbour has an allotment split into 2 runs,
surrounded by a 6 foot high wire fence. One half contains large 'Moran'
Maran ;-)

hens. These hens never attempt to fly out, probably too heavy. In the
next
run are the smaller bantams (not sure which variety) and a couple of
these
are always flying out.
Might be worth noting, at chicken choosing time.

"w.g.s.hamm" wrote in message
"Cumberpach" wrote in message
As a p.s. to the above. My neighbour has an allotment split into 2
runs, surrounded by a 6 foot high wire fence. One half contains large
'Moran' hens.

Maran ;-)

Oops, Molly you are right, it's Maran http://tinyurl.com/aygx5
hens and the eggs are as dark as those in the pic.