[FloraGunn]

i am getting chickens but there is a fox that roams on my street and i need to make sure it doesnt take any of my chickens, any tips on how to succesfuly fox proof my coop and run? thanks

[robert waddell]

yes eliminate the fox

[FloraGunn]

i am not doing that! 

[Brijjy]

Dig the wire of the run a few inches into the ground. Foxes can dig holes but so far on our run, have been deterred by the wire being in the ground. The sides of the run need to be high enough, pref over 6 foot. The wire sides on my run are deliberately a bit wobbly to deter things that may climb in. The coop needs to be secure and not ricketty. When I was a kid a fox got into our wooden duckhouse by persistently scratching and biting at the door. And that was in one night.
Your best bet is to get rid of the fox. If not, certainly be prepared against it. I've made it sound like it's a mountain lion, it's not but foxes are persistent little buggers.

[FloraGunn]

is it not illegal to get rid of the fox?

[in the hills]

If  the fox visits your garden they are best kept in a secure coop and run.  He will get them!

It is best if the wire is that strong stuff with small squares as opposed to chicken wire and make sure the run has a roof. If the pen is a fixed one, you should bury the wire a good distance underground to stop him digging under.

Dont forget to lock them in the coop section as soon as they have gone to bed.

Are you in the town? Town foxes are very brave. A big dog fox grabbed my sisters cockerel while she was standing looking out of the kitchen window. She ran out and chased him with the broom. He dropped Elvis and then turned around and came back and picked him up again. Luckily my sisters pretty scary and eventually he dropped him and made his get away. It wasnt long before he was back ... lurking at the top of the garden. 

He did visit me once when I lived in the town ..... it was not a pretty site.
I dont like to kill anything ..... but ...... wheres your gun Mr W.

[FloraGunn]

i live in Torphichen a small village in west lothian completely in the country, i have never seen the fox in our garden but it roams at the house a few door down

[in the hills]

Local gamekeeper?

[FloraGunn]

i dont want to kill the fox! i am only 14 and i like animals!

[knight_family]

Best way I found was to use an electric fence, and drap a bit of bacon on the fence.. He'll smell it come and see and get a shock wont come back again!! Well ours dont anyway.

[in the hills]

 The best thing to do is keep them in a secure coop and run and always lock them in at night.

I can understand that you dont want to get rid of the fox, so just make sure that you keep your hens as safe as you can. You can let them in the garden while you are there to watch them.

Keeping hens is great fun. My daughter is ten and loves her poultry and like you she wouldnt kill anything. Hen keeping is a super hobby. Enjoy it and ask on here for any help you need. 

[kilvington family]

my son had all his pigeons and all his hen killed by foxes he spent about £200 on all his stock but in one night all gone he was sick about it and he will not get any more until the fox has gone .

[rikkib]

think like a fox note it then think again because that is what charlie will do'       you could use electric fencing you could use renadine you could use lots of other ideas and vaRIOUS suggestions posted on this forum but if you thinkj like a oppurtunist fox your hens will be safe

[chrismahon]

Ideally your run needs a wire mesh or sheet top as well FloraGunn. Depends how wide the run is as to whether it is feasible. We use scaffolding sheeting on ours as it is heavily glass fibre reinforced -comes in a roll 3m x 30 metres at about £90 and is quite heavy. Our runs are just over 2 metres wide and I have started fitting centre supports as the heavy rain collects on the top otherwise.

If run is too wide aim for a 6 foot fence with 1 foot dug in and a strand of electrified wire hanging outwards at the top off pieces of wood fitted to the top of the fence posts.

[doganjo]

i dont want to kill the fox! i am only 14 and i like animals!

Sorry, Flora, but at 14 years old and you want to keep hens you will have to grow up fast.  My 13 year old granddaughter loves all animals like you, but foxes don't just kill for food, they kill for fun.  If you have a big dog it may stay away, but other than that you need to have a prison for your hens.  Sorry, darlin'