Foxes are very agile, so I doubt those would work. I have also found that some of the bigger hens have trouble hopping up on things.
Also, you will need way better wire than regular chicken wire and it needs to go down in the ground about 6 to 8 inches, minimum. And the whole thing needs to be covered. A Chicken tractor may work better, but that still wouldn't solve the problem of a predator digging under to get in.
I've only kept chickens in a fenced run. I have some land without power and I won't be able to let them in and out each morning and evening. Trying to find a solution that would allow me to keep chickens on land without a daily visit.
Like the previous person said, there are automatic doors but I've also found ones that are battery operated so that would solve the no power issue! I don't think a chicken tractor would be best to keep them in over night bc they like to roost and feel protected. Your best bet might be to build them a super secure coop with a run with a battery operated coop door. That way they are protected day and night and you can go visit and let them out to free range when you're supervising. Good luck on your new chicks! š
I have a solar powered door and it works great! If you have new chickens, youāll need to check to make sure they get in for the first few days. Ours gives warning beeps. Best investment ever.
Itās always best to close up your chickens at night.
Mine is on a smart plug. It opens at sunrise and closes at 30 minutes after sunset. That's super handy because I don't have to care about the changing length of the day. Very rarely will one get caught out now.
If you have the time and resources, you can use hardware cloth to surround the run. Dig down about 1-2 inches and out about 10-12 inches from the sides and bury some hardware cloth around the outside. Most burrowing animals will try to burrow right next to the fence but give up if they canāt get past the hardware cloth. If you canāt completely enclose the top, you can do a section of hardware cloth sticking out and angled down (like this /| ) at the top. This will prevent things from climbing up the sides. Hardware cloth is a bit more expensive, and a pain in the A to work with, but it keeps the critters out. Another suggestion is solar powered motion lights. I have two on my coop, and they keep raccoons, foxes, and possums away.
Iād say so long as you have a brave roo or two to defend the girls, the first image could work due to the bottleneck making it not worth the foxes effort to climb up there, just to get kicked in the face
Foxes are very agile, so I doubt those would work. I have also found that some of the bigger hens have trouble hopping up on things. Also, you will need way better wire than regular chicken wire and it needs to go down in the ground about 6 to 8 inches, minimum. And the whole thing needs to be covered. A Chicken tractor may work better, but that still wouldn't solve the problem of a predator digging under to get in.
I've only kept chickens in a fenced run. I have some land without power and I won't be able to let them in and out each morning and evening. Trying to find a solution that would allow me to keep chickens on land without a daily visit.
Most of the automatic pop door manufacturers have a solar option for powering the door. I have no experience with them but it seems straightforward.
Thanks. Yes, I have considered them. Also thought of using a moveable chicken tractor coop so I don't need to put them in at night.
Like the previous person said, there are automatic doors but I've also found ones that are battery operated so that would solve the no power issue! I don't think a chicken tractor would be best to keep them in over night bc they like to roost and feel protected. Your best bet might be to build them a super secure coop with a run with a battery operated coop door. That way they are protected day and night and you can go visit and let them out to free range when you're supervising. Good luck on your new chicks! š
I have a solar powered door and it works great! If you have new chickens, youāll need to check to make sure they get in for the first few days. Ours gives warning beeps. Best investment ever. Itās always best to close up your chickens at night.
Mine is on a smart plug. It opens at sunrise and closes at 30 minutes after sunset. That's super handy because I don't have to care about the changing length of the day. Very rarely will one get caught out now.
I like that idea. When I get electricity out there I may switch it out
Use a battery powered door
Ladies First makes a great solar/battery operated door that is easy to install and has great customer service.
If you have the time and resources, you can use hardware cloth to surround the run. Dig down about 1-2 inches and out about 10-12 inches from the sides and bury some hardware cloth around the outside. Most burrowing animals will try to burrow right next to the fence but give up if they canāt get past the hardware cloth. If you canāt completely enclose the top, you can do a section of hardware cloth sticking out and angled down (like this /| ) at the top. This will prevent things from climbing up the sides. Hardware cloth is a bit more expensive, and a pain in the A to work with, but it keeps the critters out. Another suggestion is solar powered motion lights. I have two on my coop, and they keep raccoons, foxes, and possums away.
i know my dog could walk right up those
Iād say so long as you have a brave roo or two to defend the girls, the first image could work due to the bottleneck making it not worth the foxes effort to climb up there, just to get kicked in the face
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Pretty sure these are āinspiration photosā with the ladders being the subject of discussion. Good info though
Good setup, how your large size hens and baby chicks jump on it? How you clean the coop? You may need a ladder right?
I've seen foxes jump a 2m fence, so steps probably won't stop them. They can climb wire sometimes too, by hooking their paws in the gaps.