Help predator proofing gate

[SixBlackStars]

Hi. We have had chicken 5 years but stopped free ranging them due to hawks (they are now in a daytime pen instead with aviary netting and we haven't lost a bird in 3 years .

Recently we started free ranging ducks and a daytime fox has killed 7 birds despite a 7 foot deer fence with attached ground level chicken wire extended out about 3 feet from fence to avoid burrowing. The point of entry is the gate- the only place where I can't have the ground level wire - he squeezed under and I am sure this is the point of entry as he tried to pull my lovely adult Pekin under the fence!

What do you think is the best strategy for a frequently used gate? I heard a hot wire but it's far from the house and convenient electricity, I have small children, and I heard that weeds/grass easily short the wires.

Below are pictures of the gate.


Suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[MrPepers]

I usually dig down about a foot under my gates and pour cement in the hole. It creates a barrier that's hard to dig under.

 

[barred2rock]

If cement isn't an option, I'd dig a ditch about a foot and a half deep and bury hardware cloth connected to a kick plate (2x4?) that would be under the gate; closing off as much as the gap as possible under the gate. It would also be a good idea to close all gaps of more than 1/2" with hardware cloth, including gaps in the fencing wire and between the gate & fence. Weasels and other small animals can squeeze through larger than 1 /2" gaps.

 

[jennyf]

I placed large pavers (partially buried) and rocks at the base of my gate. It's pretty secure, but gate will only open one way with the barrier though.

 

[The Moonshiner]

If cement isn't an option, I'd dig a ditch about a foot and a half deep and bury hardware cloth connected to a kick plate (2x4?) that would be under the gate; closing off as much as the gap as possible under the gate. It would also be a good idea to close all gaps of more than 1/2" with hardware cloth, including gaps in the fencing wire and between the gate & fence. Weasels and other small animals can squeeze through larger than 1 /2" gaps.

How in the world would you be able to fence a weasle out of any type of large area like that and especially one with a gate that needs to operate?

 

[barred2rock]

How in the world would you be able to fence a weasle out of any type of large area like that and especially one with a gate that needs to operate?

You quoted my post that says how. Worked for my gate, although I made sure there was no gap between the gate and the fence to begin with. A proper lifestock gate leans & latches agaist the fence post.

 

[The Moonshiner]

You run hardware cloth around the whole property?
I've got well over 1,000 foot of fence. And you would have to bury or skirt it too.
Then wouldn't they just climb over?
I don't see ever fencing anything like that out. Seems impossible.

 

[barred2rock]

You run hardware cloth around the whole property?
I've got well over 1,000 foot of fence. And you would have to bury or skirt it too.
Then wouldn't they just climb over?
I don't see ever fencing anything like that out. Seems impossible.

Well, personally I wouldn't allow my chickens excess to that much area at one time. Allowing any livestock to selective graze is bad for the land, because they graze the land unevenly. Free ranging does have the benefit that the birds have more places to hide and get away from predators.

 

[aart]

Concrete threshold or wood kickplate (gate only open one way and closes against wood).
Wire apron underneath either.