[Frazer]

About to begin chicken-keeping on a small scale (3/4 birds) in domestic back garden - will buy purpose-built coop and self build a run attached (approx 15' x 5')

Questions  :

1. how high do run walls need to be ?
2. What size / specification of mesh is needed ?
3. does the run need a roof / cover ?
4. does mesh need to extend below ground level ?

Any other advice welcomed

[compostqueen]

Hello there

You could read all the poultry sticky threads as this information is covered there. There are loads of posts about the very things you are asking about, so do please take time to browse

[Dominic]

Well 15x5' is a pretty small space for 3 or 4 chickens.
3 at a pinch, with lots free ranging time.
I have 4 in a 8x16 and they've destroyed most of the grass in a month.

As for your questions
As high as you want really, mine are 1m, enough to move bent down, 2m will be enough to move around stood up, but significantly more difficult to build.
You need weld mesh, 1.6mm thick and either 1 or 2 inch squares, 2 will be enough for foxes, 1 for rats and foxes.
Unless its very tall, yes, foxes climb very well.
It can, accepted wisdom is either bury it or have a "skirt" for several inches.

[JaK]

We have just built a coop and run here.
 I'd say for ease of cleaning make the run high enough for you to get in and clean it.
We used welded mest that was 1 inch square.
We covered the top with mesh on ours to keep foxes out.
You can bury the mesh to stop foxes digging into the run or atfasten the mesh around the outside of the run and lay on the ground, this will also stop foxes digging in to the run.

Instead of burying mesh we used slabs to ensure no faxes can get into the run.

We also used plastic roofing to cover the run (on top of the mesh) as the breeds we want to keep are not keen on getting wet.

[kegs]

I found this on one of the stickys about fox proofing:


The only fox-'proofing' I know is wire mesh. The physical barrier oft quoted on the forums.

Must be minimum 19gauge/1mm thickness steel wire galvanised mesh. Not chicken wire (hex). This will be too thin and a fox can chew through it. 25mmx13mm mesh will keep out most rats but 25mm will be adequate for foxes.
It should be as high as possible. For a walk in run, 5ft is usually adequate. If you can put a roof over, used either solid corrugated plastic or similar wire mesh. Also either bury 9-12" in the ground or run a 'skirt' around the bottom. You can also use slabs at the base.
Anything left around the perimeter will be used to climb in but they can also clamber up the sides and jump.
It's been said that they have similar agility to a cat. Keep this in mind as well as their strong teeth and jaws, as well good digging ability and you'll see the need for extra caution.

All of this assumes a fixed run. You can't move this around, once constructed.



Hope that helps.