Need emergency help!! Predator proofing

[annabellaknits]

I need good advice not just maybe this will work.
This is the current situation...

2 acres
4ft horse fencing backed with 2in x 4in metal fencing
Three 8 foot horse gates

In side that there is 3ft electric fence comprised of 165ft chicken netting the rest is strung electric fence pieces
There is only one grounding rod that we could only get in the ground about 5ft
50 mile charger
I do get a nice shock on the electric fence

Today during light hours Im pretty sure a fox and her pups got in killing 6 chickens

My thoughts to improve the situation but I'm unsure of and need advise on are
1. Is the electric fence not high enough and the fox can just jump over
2. Needs more grounding rods to get a better shock
3. Just need more strings of electric wire
4. Add chicken wire or hardware cloth to the gates

5. I will be separating the 2 acres into 6 sections with chicken wire and posts to rotate the girls. Would that create more deception for the foxes?

Please I am at a loss and so tired of foxes killing every pulley right before she lays. I need a solution that is fool proof!!!

outer fence

Inner fence

 

[Poultry parent]

add the hardware cloth to the gates and see if there was anyway the fox could have dug under the fence, if so you can bury the fence 6-8''

 

[annabellaknits]

I was thinking that to see where there coming in. I couldnt burry any fencing as I need the gates for access. I would prefer to get the electric fencing to work for me!

 

[annabellaknits]

Oh i forgot to add that there is a fox that had pups about a month ago 1000ft from where this is and theres nothing I can do about it

 

[Poultry parent]

i don't mean bury the fencing that is on the gates, and on the gates put up hardware cloth very close to the ground

 

[annabellaknits]

Got it. The horse fencing thats backed in metal has not been dug under. It is super overgrown with bushes and raspberries. So they had to have gotten through the gates. But I know at my home where I have fencing or gates they will just dig under no questions. So thats why I wasnt sure if its even worth the hardware cloth on the gates?

 

[Donna R Raybon]

fox can climb like a cat. Anyone near you have LGD? That in addition to what you are doing is only way I know to stop predation. You can add another ground rod in sequence with one you already have installed. Are you using a charger meant to cattle? Mine is HOT and not just a little tingling. The poultry netting if hot and installed right is your best fencing option as fox can not climb the hot netting.

If not for George our half Anatolian, half GP we would not be able to keep any livestock. He does not bother the birds, goats or even the wild rabbits. But, hawks, vultures, dogs, coyotes, foxes, racoons, opossums, skunks, weasels, hot air ballons, get rapid loud escort off the place. Some LGD are not good with birds and a LGD pup will do stupid pup stuff until grown. This is why you need to find someone who is knowledgeable breeder using dogs the way you are going to use them. I have had them almost 30 years and would never be a day without one. LGD are nocturnal, spending night very active patrollong and barking. During day the stratigically place themselves to keep an eye on things and nap.

 

[rottlady]

fox will go right over that horse fence with zero issue and the electric fence wires are far enough apart a fox can get through. Replace all electric wires with more electro netting

 

[annabellaknits]

Cant have a dog as I am renting property. The charger is a zareba 50 mile? Dont know if its for cattle or not. Its a 1 jule.
I cant afford electric netting for the entire area right now with a start up. What if I create my own netting stringing more wire. Then add height attaching pvc to my posts then pvc fencing all with zip ties. The electric would still be a deterrent and they wouldn't be able to jump?

 

[bobbi-j]

As is, a fox, dog, coyote or coon could go right through those bars on the gates. You're on the right track with the idea of putting some sort of fencing on them. I would suggest hardware cloth instead of the chicken wire as it's sturdier. Chicken wire is so flimsy, anything but a chicken can get through it if determined enough. Adding some height to the rest of your fence would help, too.