- May 9, 2012
- 1
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Hi there. I'm new here and am getting my first hens next week. I used to keep bantams 30 years ago, however the set up was very different. In ther past I had a static walk in aviary with under dug wire to keep the foxes out. Never had a problem with foxes getting in for 8 years. This time round the pen needs to be movable so can't have wire dug into the ground.
I have a chicken coop enough for 5 chickens but I'm only planning to keep 3 in there. It has a large nesting area set off the ground and the run is wired with 1 inch x half inch galv aviary wire. However the floor isn't wired.
I have an electric fence to go round the whole run. Its sheep/ poultry wire running off a 12 volt battery. Padlocks on all door openings.
Really my questions are...will the electric mesh be enough to deter the foxes?
and
Should I under wire the coop for extra vermin protection?
If I underwire the coop will it cause damage to the chickens feet when they scratch about?
There are plenty of foxes around here, but otherwise no other predators other than humans and their dogs and cats and of course rats might be an issue!
I'd be really grateful for any feedback on the set up as I've heard having an electric mesh is very good, but don't know anyone whos tried it for any length of time.
Thanks
I have a chicken coop enough for 5 chickens but I'm only planning to keep 3 in there. It has a large nesting area set off the ground and the run is wired with 1 inch x half inch galv aviary wire. However the floor isn't wired.
I have an electric fence to go round the whole run. Its sheep/ poultry wire running off a 12 volt battery. Padlocks on all door openings.
Really my questions are...will the electric mesh be enough to deter the foxes?
and
Should I under wire the coop for extra vermin protection?
If I underwire the coop will it cause damage to the chickens feet when they scratch about?
There are plenty of foxes around here, but otherwise no other predators other than humans and their dogs and cats and of course rats might be an issue!
I'd be really grateful for any feedback on the set up as I've heard having an electric mesh is very good, but don't know anyone whos tried it for any length of time.
Thanks

