Here’s living proof that free-ranging is not looking like a good idea at the new house. This is the 4th fox spotting we’ve had, all in the middle of the day, so I’m sure they are active at night as well.
I’ve been brushing up on my fox facts. Here is a good, yet startling article about foxes and chickens. I don’t currently have any wire buried underground because we moved the house in November. That is on the top of my list once we have a good thaw. For now, I’m confident the girls are safe as I close the door to their enclosure at night. I’ve also read that you can place wire mesh on the floor of the run – keeping in mind that the holes in the mesh need to be big enough for a chicken to scratch but small enough that a fox can’t get through. So many options…
We laid the hardware cloth on the ground 2 feet out on all side of the coop/run and put river stones ($3ish bucks a bag at gigantic hardware stores) to keep out diggers. I also got small, battery-powered electric fence that should discourage them from trying to get in. I think this photo is all the proof you need that this may be worth it. (I’ve zapped myself with it, it’s slightly worse than a static build-up sort of shock, but animals won’t like it and will keep away).
good tips!