I'm a little shook after a fox visit this evening. It didn't get any of my birds (my cat actually ran it off), but it has me re-examining my fencing situation. And I'm glad I did because it is SERIOUSLY lacking!
I have my flock in a shed next to a tall retaining wall. Not an ideal spot, but it's what we had to work with when we moved in. The shed/coop opens onto a large wire dog kennel run that has hardware cloth around it. It also has a buried hardware cloth apron that extends out 2 ft. The run is very secure. I feel very confident that they are safe in there. But being penned up all the time is no life for a chicken.
The run opens into a large foraging area that is surrounded by electric netting and covered by aviary netting (the heavy duty stuff). The electric netting starts at the retaining wall, goes in front of the run, makes a sort of half circle around the coop and run, and ends back at the retaining wall about 20 feet behind the coop.
Here's where it gets tricky. The retaining wall that is next to the coop is tall enough that a predator would not have any problem bypassing the electric netting and jumping onto the coop, which would allow it to get into the foraging area by tearing through the aviary netting.
Now, there is a fence along the top of the retaining wall. Here's my question:
If I install electric along the 3 ft fence at the top of the retaining wall, will it be enough to deter a fox? Or would it just jump over it?
Here's a (badly drawn) diagram. I can't quite get pics. I will try to get video tomorrow.
Poke holes in this plan, please. If my diagram is as bad as I think it is, let me know/ask questions. It's not a matter of *if* a fox tries to get my birds anymore. For now, they will stay penned.
Note: I WILL be moving the coop soon, but there was a big storm at the end of last year that caused significant damage to my property. When that cleanup is done, we will move them and the goats.
I have my flock in a shed next to a tall retaining wall. Not an ideal spot, but it's what we had to work with when we moved in. The shed/coop opens onto a large wire dog kennel run that has hardware cloth around it. It also has a buried hardware cloth apron that extends out 2 ft. The run is very secure. I feel very confident that they are safe in there. But being penned up all the time is no life for a chicken.
The run opens into a large foraging area that is surrounded by electric netting and covered by aviary netting (the heavy duty stuff). The electric netting starts at the retaining wall, goes in front of the run, makes a sort of half circle around the coop and run, and ends back at the retaining wall about 20 feet behind the coop.
Here's where it gets tricky. The retaining wall that is next to the coop is tall enough that a predator would not have any problem bypassing the electric netting and jumping onto the coop, which would allow it to get into the foraging area by tearing through the aviary netting.
Now, there is a fence along the top of the retaining wall. Here's my question:
If I install electric along the 3 ft fence at the top of the retaining wall, will it be enough to deter a fox? Or would it just jump over it?
Here's a (badly drawn) diagram. I can't quite get pics. I will try to get video tomorrow.
Poke holes in this plan, please. If my diagram is as bad as I think it is, let me know/ask questions. It's not a matter of *if* a fox tries to get my birds anymore. For now, they will stay penned.
Note: I WILL be moving the coop soon, but there was a big storm at the end of last year that caused significant damage to my property. When that cleanup is done, we will move them and the goats.
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