Materials for Building New Run

[Pony Girl]

We’re hoping to be moving house soon to a place with a bigger garden for the chickens – hooray!!

Dad has been roped in to create a permanent run with a covered roof. Can anyone recommend where to buy materials from – specifically fox proof wire mesh; and the clear corrugated roofing stuff?

Thanks

 

[Stapfam]

Fox proof and the 1" mesh is Fox Deterrent- My neighbour had Thick 2" galvanised wire and the foxes just ripped if off.Managed to get a foot inside it and lifted a corner and they were in.

Clear corrugated and I have found Wicks's have the cheapest in my area. 8 or 10ft in length. Just bought some for the "New" run and I have had it on another run for 2 years now with no problems. Wicks are at Bexhill if that helps. and I am in Hailsham.

 

[Tim]

I have found Wicks pretty good too for roofing. I've used clear corrugated and onduline roofing for coops from them in the past.

I'd say it does depend on the run construction, the mounting of the wire and the local fox population as to whether they can get through rabbit wire (or chicken wire as we often call it). If a fox can get his teeth in, he will tear at it and if he has the time, may get in. It's usually only big dog foxes that can do this though and they don't seem to bother if it's risky and there's a good food supply elsewhere.

If you bury the wire at the bottom, you can then have some overlap (inter-twine with galvanised wire) and then you end up with a double layer around the bottom.

Have you seen the page on Poultry Fencing... This might give you some ideas too.

 

[chrismahon]

I've started staple-gunning our wire in place but, although neat, I don't think it is secure so am adding hammered staples as well.

 

[tygrysek75]

I had used www.4wire.co.uk -bought from them 0.5x0.5 inch 36' high-30meters wire mesh and galvanised staples and metal pegs.It cost me £93,16 delivered to my door-very heavy.Foxes whic comes to my garden do not even try to bite the stuff-very strong

 

[Stapfam]

The staple gun is neat but I also re-enforce with staples. On the wire-Local to Hastings at Heathfield is "Scats". 25mm x 25mm x 1200 mm wire is £30 for 25 metres and just over £50 for 50 metres.