4 x 4 woven wire and fox?

[kevinnini]

can a fox get through a 4 x 4 wirefence?

Thanks, kevin

 

[Folly's place]

Yes!

 

[kevinnini]

how do you know? details??

 

[Belott]

Have you ever seen a fox up close and personal? If you have you would not be asking for proof or details!

And if he couldn't go through it he would climb over it!

David

 

[kevinnini]

I have the climb over part solved with a hot wire...but I was wondering if he could squeeze through the fence. Was actually wondering if anyone had any first hand experience with that particular fence. I have seen them close up and because of that I think its a close call. Thats why I posted. Thanks

 

[Belott]

It would be a close call for a mature fox Kevin. Fox look bulkier than they really are due to their thick fur. I would also be concerned about weasels, possum, skunk, snakes and maybe smaller coons getting through 4 inch square wire.

Maybe run a hot wire down low would help.

David

 

[blucoondawg]

A lot of things can get through 4" wire, honestly I wouldn't use it to keep chickens unless I was lining it with a smaller mesh or putting a couple strands of electric fence along it. Are you talking about welded wire panels with heavier gauge wire or the welded wire mesh that comes in rolls which has the light wire, the latter would not be good at all because the wire is weak and so are the welds and being that it is a 4" opening a larger animal can force his way in bending the wire and working at it for a short time breaking the welds and than you have a large hole. I had a beagle when I was a kid that would chew through the lighter welded wire fencing in short order.

 

[centrarchid]

I have lost birds to foxes through 2 x 4 fencing but only when that was only layer of protection. Fox reached through holes to grab and dismember bird. Such happened mostly at night with birds roosting up against fencing material. Could also occur when disturbed bird would walk up into reach of fox. During daylight fox would worry a chicken until it walked into corner then fox would run around and bite it through fence. Daytime attacks best beaten by making so multiple pens were in contact as part of a row so fox could not sprint around. Electrical fencing about 6" above ground and 6" from pen could prevent fox from worrying birds and sometime even from trying to grab birds roosting against side. Best option yet was to have dog that allowed fox to focus on trying to get a chicken through pen before dog would sneak up behind and catch fox.

I also use chicken wire overlayed with the more course wire since predators do not seem to realize that areas without heavier fencing are easier to get through.


The foxes can get through 4" x 4" holes but it is very tight.

 

[kevinnini]

Thanks...I was thinking of sheep and goat woven wire with an offset hot wire at the top for climbers.
These are interior fences...the chickens would be well into the pasture. Perimeter is tighter.