[lucylou]

hello! does anyone rely on electric fencing entirely for the safety of their girls? - i know it keeps them safe during the day but what about if i left their pop hole open at night, will the electric fencing keep them safe enough through the night ? i look forward to your replies, many thanks lucyloux

[karlooben]

hi lucy  i doubt it would keep them protected of the night , your best bet is to keep them as secure as u can within thier house each night  foxes are so much more prone to attack in the dark .

[hillfooter]

Well Fox's can easily jump most electric nets but they don't seem to either in daylight or  at night too.  I've kept my birds behind electric nets and never lost one to a fox and I've also on many ocassions left the pophole open when it's been impossible to get back to shut them in. Also I rarely lock them up at dusk and usually they have roosted for upto an hour before I shut the house.  I suspect if there might be a problem it will be early in the morning just after dawn when the chx might come out and there are still foxes out and about.

However I can't guarentee it for certain as a net, as I said, can be jumped so I suspect it's some instinctive fear possibly of being trapped that stops them rather than a physical barrier.  Other than foxes are more active I don't see how that changes at night though I suspect it is dependant on the boldness and desperation of the fox.  If the pophole isn't visible and they can't tell if it's open or closed and there are never any signs that foxes have entered your run at night it probably looks like it will be ok?  You can always test to see by leaving some bait suspended in the electricified run at night so you can be sure it it gets taken it's likely a fox.  I do believe I've read some research about different heights of nets some of which were electrified and some not, some baited and some not.  That concluded that the unelectrified net was breached but that all the electrified ones whether baited or not were avoided by foxes.

Best if you use a 1.2 metre net and ensure there's no overhanging or easily climbed launch pads in or out of the run to encourage them and the energiser is working effectively.
Regards
HF

[ehs284]

Are you only concerned about foxes? We have had stoat or weasel trying to get in (not sure which white tipped tail). I thought it might be a rat to begin with because of the hole sizes but have now seen it.

[Flowerpower136]

My run is as fox proof as they come.  I'd have problems getting in if I couldn't open the gate!

But, for peace of mind, would always want the pophole closed, and also cos run isn't rat proof.

I've got an auto closer, so don't have to think too much about the pophole. Though I always double check. 

I can see part of the run from the house so can do a visual check from the house to make sure the door has opened and they are up in the morning.  In the evening, I always go down after they've gone to bed to take out all the feeders etc (rats), so can double check that they are all in safely and door has closed. 

If I can time it right, I love to watch them going to bed!  There's always one loitering on the ramp as the door comes down, and has to crouch down to get in under it as it shuts.  Think they might be playing 'chicken'!

And what about this weather.  Brrrrrr.  Goosebumps at the thought of it being left open! :blink:

Of course, mine are only at the bottom of the garden . . . might not be quite so consientious if I had to track to an allotment. 

[hillfooter]

Are you only concerned about foxes? We have had stoat or weasel trying to get in (not sure which white tipped tail). I thought it might be a rat to begin with because of the hole sizes but have now seen it.

I know pine martins, mink and polecats are voracious preditors but aren't common in the UK though they can be very localised.  Foxes and badgers are the main risk.  I've never heard of a a Weasel or Stoat bothering L/F chx though chicks, growers and possibly bantams could be at risk.

Anyone else had chickens taken by stoats or weasels?
HF

[treacleminer]

Ar We have had stoat or weasel trying to get in (not sure which white tipped tail).

A sToat has a Tip

(modified after reading Joyfuls' post)

[joyfull]

A stoat is perfectly able to take a chicken but a weasel is too small - adult stoats can reach weights of 450 grams, mink are ferocious killers and if you have water nearby they may be present.
Here is a link to explain the difference between stoats and weasels for those who don't know the difference
http://www.wildlifebritain.com/stoatorweasel.php

[Roughlee Handled]

Chickens have to have ventalation(above there head hight) but not a draft.

You should always close the pop hole at night. For piece of mind.  If you can not be bothered or regular can not get to close then you should purchase a pop hole closer.   If you still leave your pop hole open then I hope you love the sight of carnage.




I have lost my entire flock behind a 1.2metre electric fence.  Between 10 am and 11 am in the morning.  Do not trust it unless your local fox/prey respects it.

[lucylou]

roughlee that is terrible and has really alarmed me! did the fox jump over it or did the fence malfunction? - i was just about to go ahead and order the 1.2 m high one when i saw your post.  lucyloux

[Roughlee Handled]

The fox jumped over in broad day light.  Never underestimate your fox.   

[joyfull]

Rough has now got a really good electric fence now 

[lucylou]

what type of fence do you have now roughlee? joyful says tis really good

[joyfull]

he did post some pictures before so I will see if I can find them for you - with fencing you do have to test it everynow and then just to make sure it works and sometimes bait it just to make sure the foxes know it works.

[joyfull]

On page two of this link there is a photo of Roughlees fencing but I'm sure there are some more on here somewhere. Roughlee would be better to explain how he did it, so hopefully he will be on again soon to help 

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=44052.msg517593#msg517593