[karlooben]

how many ppl here have their main fencing dug into the  ground and how deep did u go.. as some of u may know i was debating on laying the first section of mesh onto the ground then bending it into an L shape with slabs on the top , but i have actually just managaed to dig one side of the run i got about a shovel  depth is that deep enough ,{ lol please dont say go deeper i am shattered     ]

[FCG]

I dug down about 3-6 inces all the way around then put the wire down making a slight L shape at the bottom. It's preferable to drop down 6 inches i believe.

[scooter]

I did an L with my run. It comes out about 15-18cm and is kept down with tent pegs.
I tried this because the Eglu, sold by Omlet, is claimed to be fox proof and that is the design on their run. I also read that foxes tend to dig at the base of a fence and therefore the 'skirt' stops them from being able to do this.
Its only been down a week but I've not seen any evidence of tampering.

[poultrygeist]

I have approx 6-9" skirt with slabs or concrete blocks on top.

Saves a lot of digging !  

Rob  

[karlooben]

thanks for the replys , i am thinking about laying the wire on the ground with slabs on top as i am having to do all this on my own so i would perfer not to dig and at the mo i am having to soak the ground before i can even get the shovel in , . there will be about half a metre above the ground that will give the main fence { chain link }  double protection. i may have to do a bit of everything though as i do know we have plenty of foxes around here .

[stamford]

I'm also thinking I need to do the same with my run and was debating how deep it should be. Not looking forward to that as I have fir tree roots to get through :x  Is there another way around it ?

[karlooben]

poor u , i have a 60 foot sycamore tree roots to deal with on one section and tons of bind weed roots as well .this plot i have now was left to go to rot for about 2 yrs ,.,,  :cry: on some sections i may just  have to cheat .i know its going to cost a fortune for slabs but if one day if  i decide not to keep chickens all the stuff i am using can very easily be recycled on the allotment site

[poultrygeist]

You may be lucky if you ask on freecycle for old slabs. Even broken ones are ok as long as they're pushed together.

One of the main concerns is if they can climb over the fence. You have to make it tall enough and/or cover the top in fox proof mesh. We haven't got that far yet but plans are afoot.

Read up on all a fox can do and wander round it thinking like a fox. You'll soon realise how insecure it is !  :shock:
You can only do so much, so try to prioritise on the important stuff and work on the rest when you can. If you can keep an eye out in the day, you can compromise to some degree and make sure the house is fox-proof. But their safety is in your hands. I would say minimum measures are the skirt+slabs or buried edge. 6' weldmesh fence with sturdy posts. Some netting on top. Bolts on all gates/doors.
Anythign else you can pick up from other suggestions that you think may apply to your situation.
And never leave anything that can be climbed on next to the fence.

Good luck.

Rob  

[muntjac]

heres a tip fer ya ........ if ya have a building site near you ,go along and ask fer the busted safety fencing panels ,cut the mesh out the frame and bobs ur granny u got weld mesh fer nowt .. " werks for me n aggy    

[nettynoodles1]

oooo great idea ty we have a by pass bying built as i speak (straight thro my old field)! so  maybe i can go pick some up too ty

[rainie]

Ours is chain link (used for tennis courts) dug 2ft into ground and 8ft high. Inside the run, next to the 2ft in the ground is all the old wire and steel fencing we found in our garden, this acts as the 'L'.  Neighbours have had the fox but have never noticed any sign of fox.  We were going to cover the top and never got round to it, and have to keep an eye out for the red kites, so covering it is on the list of jobs to do.