7cm x 2.5cm wire mesh. Is this adequate?

[vixfinn]

Hello again! Maybe a daft question but I have visions of hens with their heads stuck or foxes nose deep through the wire. My tree surgeon OH managed to source some 7x2.5cm strong wire mesh for my chicken run. Think it's used to protect young trees from deer and bunnies. Will this size be safe for the run or shall I go back to the drawing board?

[Graham K]

If it's big enough for Mr F.Ox to get his paws in you may have a problem. Try double skinning, one layer on the outside of the run and another on the inside try to do it so that the holes DON'T line up. It my not be ideal but twice something is better than once of not a lot. Staple or nail the mesh to the run ALL the way round and on the under side as well, stops them digging in.

Graham.

[vixfinn]

Thanks, will try criss-crossing it thus saving much heartache!

[RedThorn]

effectively, your holes are 2 inches by 1 inch, I see no problem with the mesh size if it does worry you, double skin it but lay one vertical and one horizontal giving you 1" by 1" holes

[Bramble-Poultry]

we use 2" square mesh which is 5cm square for all you metric ppl - the security welded mesh type on all of our runs with no problems - keeps foxy out and chooks stick their heads out but always manage to pull them back fine. It only causes a problem when a hen raises chicks as the little buggers get through it

As for keeping foxy out - it will work, however remember foxy can and will climb over and/or dig over, so either cover your run or put a top section around the run at a 45 degree angle from the sides of the run to prevent getting over (i'm sure you know what I mean!), As for digging not a lot will stop that if he really decides to do it but do make sure that the bottom of the mesh is securly fixed - either by burying it slightly or by fixing it to a bottom board - if its not fixed securly he will be under in a flash. we don't bury the mesh but we don;t have a massive problem (like I said - shotgun!!) I would say if you have a real fox problem then extend the mesh out around a foot or 2 from the base of the run - you can do this just under the surface, they will tend to dig at the edges by the run not from too far away, or you can lay a row of slabs around the outside edge of the run - serves the same purpose.

Other methods include shooting or trappin in a humane trap and relocating!