[HesterF]

For our current fox proof run we have 19 gauge chicken wire. I know in theory a fox could chew through it but so far, so good. The main problem was that it can't really be stretched tight so it looks baggy and not that attractive - although in a way this is a positive because it makes to practically impossible to climb especially with the overhang as well (one cat can make it up over an end post).

For the new one, we were going to go up a gauge to an 18 gauge which is much less chewable. But then I started looking at the ads in the smallholder magazines for www.wiremeshfence.co.uk. It looks like it would be neater and strong. Clearly more expensive but this run is going to be so big, we want it to last for a good 10 years. We're going to get best quality timber so the wire needs to last too. With this one, we're going to just run several strands of wire (barbed?) across as an overhang, rather than trying to pull the netting out so it doesn't need to bend.

Any advice? Have any of you used the knotted wire? Benefits vs. chicken/rabbit wire? And vs. weld mesh?

H

[Eastling]

Have you thought about and electric netting fence? We have one that contains the ducks and seems to work well.

[HesterF]

Yes, did look at various electric fence options but decided not. The netting is expensive to run (this is 230m worth of fencing) and the single wires have to have the vegetation strimmed back religiously. Also there's no power supply up there and I don't want the worry of making sure the battery is charged every day because it'll be the day that I don't check that Mr.Fox comes a-calling. Oh, and we are crawling in foxes this year - when I looked out of the bathroom window at 8:30 this morning, there was one playing in our veg patch.

H

[bloomer]

for any wire mesh, run a top wire strained tight, using rads does a good job and allows you to retighten easily.


get a set of hog ring pliers and rings and attach the mesh every foot or so, no sag ever again...


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rapid-23467900-FP216-Fencing-Plier-for-use-with-VR16-Fence-Hog-Rings-/230920773696?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item35c3f36040


pliers like these


rings come in strips of 50 so quick and easy to use...


hint find a local stockist rather than ebay so you know you can always get more rings,


we did 200m of chicken fence top and bottom wire plus used more rings for ends/gates etc used about 1000 rings all told...

[HesterF]

Thanks Bloomer. So would you recommend this mesh over the chicken wire? Is it worth the extra?

[bloomer]

its generally more cost effective you can get away with thinner supports, lighter wires.


as you said in your other post about sagging etc, this stuff is easy to get looking smart.


unless you have a real need for wire this is a much more cost effective option.


see in the other thread about hanging straight for details of how we string this stuff up


because its lighter you can get away with posts every 3-4 metres on long runs... saves a lot of post bashing!!!

[HesterF]

unless you have a real need for wire this is a much more cost effective option.

But this is wire isn't it? I thought it was heavier gauge wire than the chicken wire. We were already planning 4m posts on the basis not many chickens were likely to charge it but if this mesh does help, so much the better,

H

[bloomer]

ive confused 2 threads ignore me

[HesterF]

  confusion my fault I expect - asking about two lots of fencing at the same time! So your first post today was OK for wire mesh, wasn't it? With the straining wires?

[bloomer]

yes


for all mesh use a top and bottom wire strained and then clip mesh on looks nice and tidy... for wire mesh you still have to pull the mesh tight first but the overall effect is very effective. the added advantage is the tight ground wire means nothing can push underneath the fencing without actually digging...

[HesterF]

This is going down 18 inches too. Ain't no fox getting to my babies! Should also say that it's not actually me doing the hard work - just want to be sure that those who are have the right idea (I know they're great on farm fencing but not quite as much experience on dappy poultry lovers  )

H