[robinson]

Hi,  Have read loads on this site before getting hens which has been a great help.
Have now had the girls for 2 weeks and they are kept on our allotment.  There are 10 other chicken keepers on our site who have been a great help. The run is constructed of scaffolding wire fencing panels which we have dug into the ground.  Most people dont shut there pop holes at night although we are.  I am wondering whether we should also put mesh around the run to ensure Mr fox does not get in?  Last week 14 hatched chicks got taken from another plot.  Having looked up mesh I am now completely confused by the types and gauges.  The kids will be as devasted if we loose our girls. I would be grateful for advice.

[newChickenMummy]

Try Hills of Devon, thats where we got ours from and I know that a lot of people on here use them. They are cheapest, free delivery and very quick. We bought the ½" x 1", 1.0mm diameter, 48" length aviary mesh, got 30m for £48.

http://www.hillsofdevon.co.uk/aviary-mesh.html

 

[poultrygeist]

Hi robinson.

Have a read of this thread http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=25998.0 and it explains about the minimums for keeping foxes at bay.

The higher the gauge number, the thinner the wire used.

Here's a table from another website showing the equivalent sizes....
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/awg-wire-gauge-d_731.html

As suggested, you'll need a minimum of 19g/1mm and the 25x13 (1x1/2) should keep out rats too.

Rob