I need my Chicken Enclosure to be Fox Proof

[What_TheDuck]

Hi. We are just starting a chicken coop build for our new pullets. We are redoing their coop, and making a fenced run area (6 feet high, 250 feet perimeter) and we will attach it to our duck pen (6 feet high, 150 feet perimeter). We have a fox den about 200 yards from the coop and run, and every so often we see them running and playing around in our backyard. They don't attempt to climb the duck pen and get the ducks we have in the enclosed run. However, I know that foxes are much more interested in chickens than ducks. Will, the chicken run height be too tall for a fox to get in/climb over? I really would hate a fox to get into the chickens' fenced run area and do some damage to them. Again, it's 6 feet tall, I just need to know if that's secure enough to keep the foxes out. We already know about putting the chicken wire against the pen and into the ground to keep them from digging under, but not sure what to do about the open roof. Accepting any suggestions on improvement to the fence.

 

[NatJ]

Hi. We are just starting a chicken coop build for our new pullets. We are redoing their coop, and making a fenced run area (6 feet high, 250 feet perimeter) and we will attach it to our duck pen (6 feet high, 150 feet perimeter). We have a fox den about 200 yards from the coop and run, and every so often we see them running and playing around in our backyard. They don't attempt to climb the duck pen and get the ducks we have in the enclosed run. However, I know that foxes are much more interested in chickens than ducks. Will, the chicken run height be too tall for a fox to get in/climb over? I really would hate a fox to get into the chickens' fenced run area and do some damage to them. Again, it's 6 feet tall, I just need to know if that's secure enough to keep the foxes out. We already know about putting the chicken wire against the pen and into the ground to keep them from digging under, but not sure what to do about the open roof. Accepting any suggestions on improvement to the fence.

I'm pretty sure foxes can go over a 6 foot fence.

Something red with a bushy tail went over my 6-foot backyard fence (probably fox but it was moving fast), and I then searched and found videos of foxes going over fences. It looks like foxes are about as good as cats at getting over things.

You could test it-- build the fence, set up a camera to record, then put something tasty inside (like a hot dog, not a live chicken). If the fox goes in, you have your answer. If it doesn't go in, you don't know whether it cannot or just chose not to.

Some kind of a cover might be your best bet--either wire mesh or a solid roof.
Or perhaps a net of some sort might be enough cover, if the fox doesn't want to sit at the top of the fence and chew on the net until it makes a hole.

 

[What_TheDuck]

I'm pretty sure foxes can go over a 6 foot fence.

Something red with a bushy tail went over my 6-foot backyard fence (probably fox but it was moving fast), and I then searched and found videos of foxes going over fences. It looks like foxes are about as good as cats at getting over things.

You could test it-- build the fence, set up a camera to record, then put something tasty inside (like a hot dog, not a live chicken). If the fox goes in, you have your answer. If it doesn't go in, you don't know whether it cannot or just chose not to.

Some kind of a cover might be your best bet--either wire mesh or a solid roof.
Or perhaps a net of some sort might be enough cover, if the fox doesn't want to sit at the top of the fence and chew on the net until it makes a hole.

I saw somewhere that if I could put some chicken wire going parallel to the fence, up a bit, and then sticking out over the outside of the fence that this would make them discouraged and keep them out. Like, have it sticking out on the outside of the fence, parallel to the ground so it blocks the fox from jumping out. But I don't know how well that would work.

 

[NatJ]

I saw somewhere that if I could put some chicken wire going parallel to the fence, up a bit, and then sticking out over the outside of the fence that this would make them discouraged and keep them out. Like, have it sticking out on the outside of the fence, parallel to the ground so it blocks the fox from jumping out. But I don't know how well that would work.

That sounds like a good idea, but I'm like you in not knowing how well it would work.

 

[3KillerBs]

Is it possible to add electric wire?

 

[What_TheDuck]

That sounds like a good idea, but I'm like you in not knowing how well it would work.

We have had foxes get our chickens before, but just when they were free-ranging, unsupervised in the yard. I really want them to get all the time they can outside. We are installing an automatic door from their coop into the run as well, ensuring their safety. Open for any more suggestions though. Do you have a problem with them in your area?

 

[What_TheDuck]

Is it possible to add electric wire?

I have absolutely NO idea how to do that. Maybe you could teach me lol

 

[3KillerBs]

I have absolutely NO idea how to do that. Maybe you could teach me lol

I can't, but this article can: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/a-treatise-on-electric-fences-for-poultry.72229/

 

[RoseHawke]

With that large a perimeter (250' was it?) you're going to need something on the order of the type of fence top barrier used to keep cats in but pointing the other way to keep the foxes out. Or an electric wire. Do an online search for cat fencing to see what I'm suggesting, it sounds like what you've mentioned. What I'm reading is that foxes can jump up to 3', but can easily use their paws and claws to climb 6' and more.

 

[woodworm]

edit - RoseHawke above me beat me to it while I was looking for a pic!

I guess something like this that's designed to keep cats in could keep foxes out? (in reverse and less the digging)

Grabbed that pic from here - https://protectapet.com/cat-fence/ but I'm sure you could come up with a diy version for less.