a question around fencing

[walldanzig]

I have just made a large run out of 4 herris fencing panels. I have such bad luck with foxes I want to make 100%(or as near dammit) that this is as fox proof as it gets. I have burried mesh into the ground and places slabs all around the only grey area is can foxes climb do I need to place a roof on this run it's taller than me and I'm 6ft 4. Any help on this one would be greatly appreciated.

[kirsty b]

In short - yes they can Definitely roof it, mine is and thats no guarantee, believe me.

Have lost all my girls, boys and babies to one today/last night. I saw where it had climbed in through a gap it made bigger.

[Glutton4...]

I have a Heras type panel run for my ladies too. I just pushed the legs into the ground (made holes with an iron bar first, as we have solid clay), and then I ran four or five strands of electric wire about 1 - 2 foot outside the fence. The lowest wire is about 2" up, highest is about 2'6" from the ground.

So far (touch wood) no foxes or rabbits in the run. There is a very annoying Moorhen who pops in through he gaps and steals the pellets, but she's only little!

I don't have any pics, but if you're interested, I'll take some.

[Suechooks]

Really sorry to read about that Kirsty - you must be devastated. {{{Cyberhug}}}}
It's that time of year when the foxes have cubs so they're more than ever going to climb Walldanzig. I have wire roofs on all my runs but still worry as the wire has to be joined and as Kirsty has found they will find any weak gap. Hope you get sorted ok.

[walldanzig]

Kirsty so sorry to hear this. I lost all mine the other week due to a fox it's so devastating I'm currently hatching the last lot of eggs they laid as well as some others I bought of Ebay. I've lost others in the past and this is why I want to be as carefull as possible but as you say nothing is 100%. I have also bought an automatic door opener which im going to switch onto a timer as the light sensor was part of the reason the fox got the last lot. Glutton if you have pictures or could take them that would be appreciated. Thanks Sue theyre not called Sly for nothing

[tlck9]

I have used the same fencing and have at the moment put up scaffold netting to keep the birds out, if a fox wanted to they could get in.

I've been given some corrugated metal roofing, but I worry that its going to be too dark in there

what do you think, will it be too dark

[sheena]

I think it looks lovely, but if I was putting metal roof on it, I would place that over the housed area.

Should provide them with enough sunlight, but also enough shade to get out of the blistering heatwave's we seem to be getting.

[Nicos]

How about corrugated plastic roofing for the run- it'd let light in...but not sure about keeping foxes out though

[tlck9]

How about corrugated plastic roofing for the run- it'd let light in...but not sure about keeping foxes out though

Had thought of plastic, but the metal is free...always like a bargain

[Suechooks]

I've got chicken wire underneath the Onduline on my runs to deter foxes. Onduline(like the corrugated metal) cuts out a bit of light but gives them lots of shade too when its too hot.

[Glutton4...]

...Glutton if you have pictures or could take them that would be appreciated...

Here ya go!

[walldanzig]

Here ya go!

In a word WOW

[walldanzig]

I have used the same fencing and have at the moment put up scaffold netting to keep the birds out, if a fox wanted to they could get in.

I've been given some corrugated metal roofing, but I worry that its going to be too dark in there

what do you think, will it be too dark


I dont think it would be too dark whats worse a bit of shade or a fox getting in.

[sheena]

I've been given some corrugated metal roofing, but I worry that its going to be too dark in there

what do you think, will it be too dark


I dont think it would be too dark whats worse a bit of shade or a fox getting in.

I spose it won't be too bad if you can get lighting through the side panels, but when my neighbour had her 2 (that I rehomed for her a little while back) She had them position between a shed and a 6ft brick wall and a equally high rear fence. The only light they got was from the door opening they used to get into feed them.
Believe it or not, but hey also placed a wooden roof over the top of this already dark place and then complained that they weren't getting any eggs.
Within a few days of my temporary caring for her girls in my own run, they were back in lay again. Small eggs to start, but within 3 weeks were as big as my own 2yr old girl's.

So, if you make it too dark... no eggs but no fox either, try and find a happy medium. It looks big enough that you could possibly do half of the run with metal, and if you could find use the same fencing for the rest of the roofing area... you should be fox proof for sure!

[kirsty b]

Half of my run is covered with tarp (chicken wire underneath) and that gives shade but they still have plenty of light. It does also help the covered are get less soggy when it rains.

My tarp is knackered so that will be replaced as well when the run is re-done.