Chickens on Allotments - Hungry Fox

January is a good time to start planning and preparing for the new breeding season. Most people, once they have started keeping poultry, soon begin hankering after a few more birds. Poultry keeping is addictive. The trouble is that bringing in new stock can generate all sorts of aggravation between the new and the established birds. If you have the space to keep them separate, in individual pens for different flocks, then this is a good option.

Secure coops and runs are needed if we want to increase the flock. At allotments there are three main security issues to consider:

1. Keeping the chickens securely in an area so they do not escape to other plots.
2. Preventing vermin such as rats, stoats, squirrels and foxes from getting in the chicken run.
3. Making it as difficult as possible for any 2-legged vermin (vandals) to cause damage, steal or harass the birds.

Stop the Fox

Chickens are a delicacy to a fox. Making runs and coops fox-proof is difficult as a determined fox would have a go at Fort Knox. It is a heartbreaking sight to find the carnage left by a fox so take extra care securing the run. A fox attack on chickens is a harsh side of nature but foxes do keep down rabbits and we all have to live together somehow.

At this time of year there can be an increase in determination by a fox due to the shortage of food making them more bold. The fox problem in urban areas is becoming a real problem these days and the town fox is much bolder than it's country cousin. Some people in towns are pleased to see a fox and will insist on leaving food out for them. Urban foxes with no fear from humans now seem almost a different species from their cousin the rural fox.

Electrified poultry netting is not usually an option at allotments. A fixed run with a strong physical barrier is required. Wire mesh should be minimum 19gauge/1mm thickness of steel wire galvanised mesh. I.e. not chicken wire which will be too thin and a fox can chew through it. 25mm x 25mm will be adequate for foxes. 25mm x 13mm mesh will keep out rats out as well. Security panels (e.g. Heras panels) from building sites also make good fences.

For a walk-in run, a fence of 6ft high is usually adequate. Bury 9-12" in the ground around the bottom of the run in an L shape (i.e. the bottom should be angled outwards). The run will need a roof which can be made with a similar wire mesh or solid corrugated plastic.

The roof cover can be done with strong fruit cage netting. Fruit netting is reasonable cheap. A fox is unlikely to try walking on it because it is so unsteady it will feel like they are going to fall. The only problem might be sagging when there is heavy snow. An automatic pop-hole closer is expensive but can be worth it to keep the fox out of the coop at night.

Anything left around the perimeter can be used to climb on but a fox can also clamber up the sides and jump. A fox has a similar agility to a cat. Keep this in mind as well as their strong teeth and good digging ability.

	A dry winter feeding station