[nuzuki]

I have almost finished my bigger run and am just waiting for the cement to set at the bottom before I can put the chicks in the bigger run. What I wanted to know is how many of you have put a mesh roof on your run? The run is about 1.8metres high and has cemented mesh at the bottom aswell as gravel board. The four corner posts of the run are actually trees and I am concerned about a fox climbing up the tree and gaining access.

So how paranoid do I need to be about Mr Fox? I keep thinking about old phrases or sayings such as "out foxed" so they probably shouldnt be under estimated right?

Also has anyone ever had a fox chew through the mesh? I didnt buy welded mesh, I bought the smaller hexagon style mesh (25mm IIRC). So am wondering whether to double up the mesh.

Thanks for your help

[Chick Chick]

Having had a visit from the fox 2 months ago  , our own fault as hens were free in the garden but we thought living in the middle of a large housing estate they would be ok. It took 1 and left another a right mess and we had to dispatch her so we have now made a fox proof run and they are only allowed out when we are home.
Yes we have weld mesh on the roof and then plastic roofing on top, ours is the small mesh and very strong.....not taking any chances as foxes are good climbers....it also stops all the wild bird eating the food 

[compostqueen]

Get it covered or fox will visit.

[Abacus]

Our run (which is quite large) has a plastic corrugated roof on it. This serves two purposes in that it keeps the foxes out so you don't have to worry too much about the girls when they decide to camp out and also keeps the run dry. Its quite funny watching them dust bath when its pouring with rain outside the run...

Incidentally I now have a grape vine growing across the roof of the run and intend to extend the roof down slightly so that it will be warmer in the roof area around the grape now the girls have decided the grape is too high to reach without major wing-flapping effort.

[joyfull]

I have mesh over my run - just to be sure 

[Kleftiwallah]

Extend the wire sides of the run another couple of feet, but make sure this mesh is as wobbly as it can be without falling down.  The fox cannot climb over the wire mesh if the mesh falls back under his weight.

Cheers,    Tony.

[ANHBUC]

I have read that a fox can chew through the "chicken wire" type of fencing.  I don't know if it will help doubling it up.  Hopefully someone will give you advice on that. 

[grinling]

part is solid roofed for weather protection, rest has bean netting. Used the same down south with resident fox. Wendy's run was 7-8 ft high chicken wire loose. Neither of us had a prob. Allan's hens/chicks killed as fox dug in and climbed over allotment perimeter fencing.

[sarajane]

Cover it over Nuzuki if you cherish your chooks.  Foxes can climb.

[cheekychick22]

I've a roof over mine 1for protection, 2for the weather and 3 to stop and wild birds  pooing in the run spreading anything nasty

[rcf100]

Covered here too. Part weld mesh part polycarb

[nuzuki]

Thats sorted then, more mesh on order to double up the bottom of the mesh and to do the roof. Only problem is now I have to cement more uprights in place to hold up the roof mesh else it will sag.

Out of interest if you have had a fox visit and get into your run, did they choose to get in... under, over or through?

I shall be getting some electric fencing also, would you recommend battery powered fencing or mains powered?

Thanks

[cheekychick22]

Just put some joists across for support no need for more posts

[rcf100]

Joists here too. My only regret is we didn't polycarb the lot to stop the mud bath

[Sassy]

I don't think, from other posts in the past, that a saggy mesh roof is a problem and can help as it makes it even harder for the fox