Poo help please!

[dixie chick]

Some advice please - I have had a spacious WIR erected in readiness for my hens - but without a top. It's 6 feet high and the chap who made it for me (who also keeps hens) assured me that it would be fox-proof.

However after reading about some experiences on this forum - I am worried. I don't really want to put a top on it because the span is so big - but I don't feel confident that it is fox-proof. I am wondering whether putting an electric wire around the top would help? Any advice anyone?

[Tutti Frutti]

I would put weldmesh on the top and also some form of covering to weatherproof it. We have Onduline corrugated sheets (like tarmac) - you can get it in B&Q and Wickes. Before that, we had the PVC with corrugations but it cracked and leaked under the weight of the snow last winter - it never really sealed properly.

[Olly]

Sorry, but I don't believe it will be fox-proof without a roof. I have witnessed foxes scaling 6' fences quite easily - if a domestic cat could get in there, then so could a fox. I don't know about using an electric wire, I've not come across that - it might be better a bit lower down, to keep a fox away from the run altogether?

 

The other benefit of having a roof is that it keeps the run dry, and stops it turning into a quagmire in wet weather. It's worth the trouble and expense, in my view.

[Redwing]

An electric strand about a foot from the bottom and about a foot out and the same around the top should do the trick

 

Sometimes its not practical to roof a large run

 

If you do roof it then chicken wire should do, if its loose-ish then a fox wont walk on it

[dixie chick]

Thanks for your prompt replies - I guess I am going to have to work out how to put a roof on.

However - I dont see how this will keep the run dry - the rain comes in at an angle and will simply come in the mesh sides!

[ClaireG]

My run is too big to have a solid roof. We have put fruit netting over all of it and also rigged up a tarp over part of it to give a bit of rain shelter.

[Plum]

Thanks for your prompt replies - I guess I am going to have to work out how to put a roof on.

However - I dont see how this will keep the run dry - the rain comes in at an angle and will simply come in the mesh sides!

 

No it won't keep it dry in any but windless rain. If you go down that route you could use clear tarpaulins or shower curtains held on with bungees, clips or whatever. It does work but needs taking on and off. Depends on size of run and circumstances etc.,