[karlooben]

with this added it must bring my run to 9 - 10 foot high .

[wildwitchy]

I've made all my coops totally enclosed in weld mesh, roof as well. It doesn't look that attractive but at least the chickens are safe during the night. A friend of mine has just lost 15 chooks to the fox. 

[joyfull]

wow looby that looks just like my local prison 

[karlooben]

i still need to do little bits here an there but its nothing major , putting the wire up was mums idea , no wire no chocks  .

[joyfull]

Is it foxes or people you are worried about?

[SMD66]

I am still going to use weld mesh to re-enforce my run, but just out of interest, has anyone actually lost chickens to a fox who has bitten thorugh chicken wire?

[poultrygeist]

We've had reports of dogs biting through and killing chickens on more than one occasion.

I personally wouldn't want to risk it.

Rob

[Roughlee Handled]

I am still going to use weld mesh to re-enforce my run, but just out of interest, has anyone actually lost chickens to a fox who has bitten thorugh chicken wire?

Do not underestimate the fox. 

[SMD66]

no, I don't want to risk it, I would never forgive myself if something happened, like I said, I am going to re-enforce. 
I think tho that we can do all we can and still not have full protection.  my OH informed me this morning that he's seen foxes out in the day time and as my hens are free range once let out, how do you protect from that??  It's like letting your kids go out to play, the worry of what might happen.

[Roughlee Handled]

I let mine free range but only when I am out.  If I go into the house the chucks go back in the run.
I am between two fox runs so I have to be vigilant. I also have had 3 fox attacks. That is why I say "Do not underestimate the fox. "  I learnt the hard way.

[Debz]

I saw a fox in my garden the other morning at about 7.30.  My girls are only allowed to freerange when I am in the garden to keep an eye on them. 

[too many girls]

I let mine free range but only when I am out.  If I go into the house the chucks go back in the run.
I am between two fox runs so I have to be vigilant. I also have had 3 fox attacks. That is why I say "Do not underestimate the fox. "  I learnt the hard way.

so did i, i've never really got over it.............

[SMD66]

it must be horrible to see the aftermath of a fox attack.  I will do all I can, but shutting them in the 8'x5' run all day isn't an option.  They would go mad! 
A neighbour in the next village has free range chucks and swears by hanging bags of human hair around the perimeter of the field, said she never smells foxes about when she does this.  I am at the hairdressers later today so will ask for all their clippings.
Cheers for all the advice

[Roughlee Handled]

................ hanging bags of human hair around the perimeter of the field, said she never smells foxes about when she does this. ............

Sorry but that does not work.  It is a well known old wives tail.  A fox is more cunning.

[joyfull]

Male wee around the boundry is also supposed to work. As my chooks are perminantly free ranging I just plied the oh with loads and loads of tea, gave him the watering can to go in and then I  just walked round spraying it (takes a lot to go round 1/2 acre  )