Help! Fox...staring at my chickens !! Hot wire, hardware cloth apron or ?

[preciouschick]

No dog, no rooster.
The big run was only intended to keep the deer out, chicken in, and hawks out during the day. Didn't think the fox will come in broad day light! It was a scary sight.

foxes dig so we dug 3 feet down and put chicken wire and barbed wire. had a friend with a backhoe.

 

[McChooky]

Thank you so much! This is very helpful!

I hope it helps! I have a similar set up myself.

 

[Dnar]

For people recommending dogs, make sure the dog isn't sleeping on the job.

https://imgur.com/a/qjAWtQW

 

[McChooky]

My dog guarding the hen house is about as bad as a fox. Thankfully its predator proof.

 

[BDutch]

Picture this to protect you’re chickens against foxes and other small wildlife (Western Europe. )
https://www.natuurpunt.be/pagina/bescherm-je-kippen-tegen-de-vos

Tips from Belgium:

• Stretch a sturdy iron mesh on the outside of the posts

- 1.45mm thick​

- mesh size max. 3 x 3 cm​

• Make your fence at least 180 cm high so that the fox cannot jump over it.
• Fold the top 40 cm outwards at an angle of 30° or
• Equipped with two electric fences on the outside: at the bottom at a height of 20 cm and at the top at 160 cm or
• Span the entire run with a strong net or (even better) with the same mesh as the fence
• Place a row of heavy tiles at least 40 cm wide on the outside of the run so that the fox cannot dig under the wire or
• Dig the mesh 50 cm deep at an angle of 45° outwards or straight into the ground.

Other tips

• Light up the part where your chickens stay
• Keep a dog in your yard (fox is very afraid of dogs)
• If you don't want a pen or run, you can also release your animals completely so that they have more escape options.