The Poultry Keeper

dollydaydream · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 18 Location: Leicestershire

It's getting there slowly but looking good so far. I would like to know the best ways to foxproof it all please, how do foxes get into the runs or coops?, is there anything i can do to deter them from even going near?
My hairdresser told me that she had heard that if you put some human hair in the coop or run it stops the foxes because they can smell humans!! She doesn't know if it's true or not like i said it's just what she's heard. Anyway it made me laugh so i just thought i would ask on here, if it's true i might just make some little wigs out of human hair for the chickens to wear then the fox will leave well alone!!!!!! Wink

Joking aside, any tips on foxproofing would be great.

crazypianolady · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 766 Location: Nottinghamshire

There are three ways a fox could get into the run - under, through, or over.

Prevent it digging under by either burying the side panels at least a foot, or by laying pavers around the perimeter.

Stop it chewing through by using weldmesh rather than chicken wire for the sides.

Prevent it jumping over the sides by having an overhang, or by enclosing the top of the run.

Human hair is supposed to repel foxes, as is male urine! Do you have a willing fella? Embarassed

For the coop, make sure it's all securely built, and put bolts on the access points including the nest box if you can open it from outside.

crazypianolady · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 766 Location: Nottinghamshire

Just read that through and it sounds quite Draconian! I'm a bit paranoid about foxes, though, as you probably gathered!

Keeping hens really is great fun, and totally addictive! Enjoy! Smile

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1406 Location: Manchester

you can also prevent them from digging under by laying a skirt of weldmesh or chicken wire that extends out for at least a foot from the edge of the run - the fox tries to dig at the place the run/coop meets the floor.

dollydaydream · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 18 Location: Leicestershire

Think i will put paving slabs around the perimeter to stop them digging under, the run has a fixed roof with part of it that opens, that will have a good bolt on it, the opening sections on the coop will also be bolted so hopefully foxes wont get to the chickens.

CP · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 12:53 pm Post subject:

Yes, we've tried them but they are only a deterrant while the smell is strong. One downpour of rain & it's gone, so you have to keep renewing. Shocked

And I wouldn't rely entirely on them either. You will need good fencing too. Wink

chicken_house_man · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 124 Location: Brynmawr

Only 1 issue with paving slabs aroun dthe perimeter is that you might get rats under them.

www.woodenart.org.uk · Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 53 Location: shropshire

Weld Mesh Apron is a good deterrent.

dollydaydream · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 18 Location: Leicestershire

Thanks for your replies, i've heard the weldmesh apron mentioned a few times on here. Sounds a good idea but what do i do?

JC · Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 1103 Location: Sussex

I think they mean.. by putting a ring of meldmesh around the outside of the run, flat on the ground about a ft width to keep the fox digging under the run? i think thats what they mean.

dollydaydream · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 18 Location: Leicestershire