Ecky Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Hi, I am in the process of finding a permanent place for the cube (thanks for the suggestions in another threat) instead of moving it around all the time. I have bought 25 m of Omlet netting and everything else I need for an electric fence. That should give the ladies about 30 m2 roaming range. The questions that come to (my) mind are: - How far does the cube and fence have to be apart? I am thinking of the fox using the cube or cube run as landing station. - Would a fox just jump onto the cube/run or will they first test the fence? - I know our local fox jumps our 6 ft fence without a problem, but he uses the fence for support. Am I right thinking they wouldn't just clear a fence like a horse? - I have filled all holes under the fence and will carry on doing so, will they give up? Call me weird by I actually like the fox and just want to make sure that fox and hens are OK! I might change my mind when I loose and the fox has them for dinner ...... Questions over questions, I wish the search would work again ....... Thanks for any help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Hi, I am in the process of finding a permanent place for the cube (thanks for the suggestions in another threat) instead of moving it around all the time. I have bought 25 m of Omlet netting and everything else I need for an electric fence. That should give the ladies about 30 m2 roaming range. The questions that come to (my) mind are: - How far does the cube and fence have to be apart? I am thinking of the fox using the cube or cube run as landing station. It's more a question of the chickens using the cube as a launching pad to fly over the netting. I have my hen house in the middle. - Would a fox just jump onto the cube/run or will they first test the fence? A fox will first test the fence so it is important to keep it on all the time. - I know our local fox jumps our 6 ft fence without a problem, but he uses the fence for support. Am I right thinking they wouldn't just clear a fence like a horse? Yes they can clear fences very easily and can climb up to 8'. However, if the fence is electrified and they have tested it and been stung then they will not attempt to jump it. My girls have been behind 50m of electric fencing since last June. We are literally surrounded by foxes and I watch the foxes watching the girls but they stay clear. - I have filled all holes under the fence and will carry on doing so, will they give up? No! Call me weird by I actually like the fox and just want to make sure that fox and hens are OK! I might change my mind when I loose and the fox has them for dinner ...... Not weird at all - I am of the opinion that foxes have their place and it's up to me to protect my chickens. Questions over questions, I wish the search would work again ....... Thanks for any help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecky Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 Thanks Gambird, that is very useful. After Kes just escaped, I have seen how high she can fly, even with one wing clipped. Back to the drawing board .... I wish the search would work again ....... Just found that it is working again, yippee, search here I come ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 don't bank on 8 ft, they will climb too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..lay a little egg for me Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 My chooks have never attempted to fly over the electric fence even when their house is very close to the fence. I think they may react the same way as the fox...in that once they have been stung they don't attempt to jump the fence. There is a 1 ft strip of grass all the way around the inside of the fence that the chooks have clearly never eaten/scratched, so they obviously keep clear of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecky Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 My chooks have never attempted to fly over the electric fence even when their house is very close to the fence. I think they may react the same way as the fox...in that once they have been stung they don't attempt to jump the fence. There is a 1 ft strip of grass all the way around the inside of the fence that the chooks have clearly never eaten/scratched, so they obviously keep clear of it. That sounds encouraging. I don't really want to park the cube in the middle of the garden and then put the electric fence around. I will try and leave a meter between cube and electric fence and only allow them out of the run when I am around, just in case they do as Gamebird predicts. They have one wing clipped, so should not be able to fly for any length, but can flutter up. Should I clip the other wing as well, or clip more of the one wing? It was done by the woman I've bought them from, in a way that it doesn't show when they fold their wings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..lay a little egg for me Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 No, only clip one wing as it makes them unbalanced so they can't fly, if you clip both they will be balanced and will be able to fly (though presumably not as well as without clipping!). You will probably not need to supervise them if you find they make no attempts to get out! Ours are out all day whether we are there or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Three of mine have flown out of the enclosure on 3 separate occasions. Luckily I was there when it happened and was able to get them back in each time before Mr fox found them. However, now that they all have one wing clipped I have not had any problems. Like Caroline, mine free range all day whether I'm there or not. In fact they put themselves to bed and get up when they want - I don't shut them in at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
