Hi, we decided a couple of months ago to keep either chickens or bees (or maybe both). We have a largish garden and I have 'ordered' 4 Welsummer pullets from a local breeder which are due to be with us in late May/early June. I have read everything I can 'lay' my hands on about keeping chickens and have visited three chicken enthusiasts.
I would like to keep the hens in a semi-wooded part of our garden which has mature trees, shrubs and grass. I do not want to enclose this area in a wire mesh 'cage' which I think would be unsightly - BUT I may have to depending upon advice.
My plans are as follows:
The periphery of the area (total area about 40 square metres) would be enclosed in 18"- 24" high wire mesh (not chicken wire) with a further 12" below ground and a 12" skirt, held upright by fence posts.
In the centre of the area would be an 8-9 foot pole from which emanate wooden spokes down to the fence posts. The spokes would have 2mm holes roughly 2" apart along their entire length through which passes 1mm steel wire - forming a sort of spiders web. There would be additional spokes made of 1mm wire to ensure that the circumferential wires could not be separated. The steel wire would be tensioned throughout.
There would be a door about 6' tall somewhere round the periphery and the coop would be inset in part of a pre-existing pergola. The shrubs, bushes and trees could continue to grow through the structure and it would become almost invisible.
Foxes could not burrow and there would be nothing for them to get a hold on, nothing to clamber up - as far as I can see anyway.
Any comments about this plan would be most appreciated, particularly with regard to fox proofing.
Regards
Richard