Fox proof coop in Crediton
Looking for professional fox proof coop help in Crediton? Hembury Contracting provides reliable rural services across Crediton and surrounding areas.
Price Guide
£110-160
Typical Duration
2-3 hrs
Location
Crediton
Chicken coops secured against foxes with proper mesh, buried barriers, and foolproof latches. Do it once, do it right, keep your hens safe.
### Losing Birds To Foxes Is Heartbreaking
If you've ever gone out in the morning to find your chickens killed by a fox, you know it's **horrible**. Devon's rural areas are full of foxes, and they're bold, clever, and persistent. One gap, one weak spot, and they're in.
> 💡 **Pro tip:** Foxes hunt mostly at dawn and dusk. Automatic coop doors are worth every penny - they lock your birds in at night even if you're not home, and foxes can't work out how to open them.
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### Chicken Wire vs Actual Fox-Proof Mesh
| ✅ Fox-Proof Setup | ❌ Common Weak Points | |-------------------|----------------------| | Welded mesh 12mm or smaller | Chicken wire - foxes tear through | | Buried mesh skirt 30cm+ deep | No dig barrier - foxes go under | | Secure latches (clips/bolts) | Simple hooks - foxes can open | | Auto door with timer/light sensor | Manual door you forget to close | | No gaps bigger than 25mm anywhere | Gaps round doors and joins |
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### What You Get
**🔧 Full Fox-Proofing Service**
| Area | What's Done | |------|-------------| | **Mesh** | Replace chicken wire with proper welded wire mesh | | **Dig barrier** | Bury mesh skirt 30cm deep around run perimeter | | **Doors & hatches** | Fit secure latches foxes can't open | | **Gaps** | Seal any holes, gaps, or weak spots | | **Check** | Test everything - pull, push, look for vulnerabilities |
**📦 You're Left With** - Coop that's genuinely secure - Birds safe overnight and when you're away - No more morning heartbreak - Setup that lasts years
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### Pricing Guide
| Level of Work | Estimated Time | You'll Pay | |---------------|----------------|------------| | Basic securing (small coop) | 2-2.5 hrs | **£110-£135** | | Full fox-proof (medium coop+run) | 2.5-3 hrs | **£135-£160** | | Extensive work (large/damaged) | 3-4 hrs | **£160-£210** |
*Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Materials extra - mesh, fixings, latches, auto door if wanted.*
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### Essential For Devon Chicken Keepers If...
✅ **Rural location** - foxes are everywhere in Devon countryside
✅ **Free range during day** - they need secure housing at night
✅ **You've lost birds before** - don't let it happen again
✅ **Peace of mind** - you want to sleep easy knowing they're safe
Why Choose Us for Fox proof coop in Crediton?
Mesh gaps checked and secured
Dig barriers installed under fencing
Door mechanisms made fox-proof
Peace of mind - no more lost birds
What to Expect
### Step 1: Assess The Coop I'll check your setup - what mesh you've got, where the weak points are, whether door latches are fox-proof, if there's a dig barrier. Honest assessment of what needs doing and whether your coop structure is worth securing or past saving. ### Step 2: Plan The Work Discuss what's most important - maybe it's replacing mesh on the run, or fitting an auto door, or burying dig barriers. Sometimes it's all of it. I'll price materials and you decide what to tackle. ### Step 3: Fox-Proof It Replace mesh where needed, dig in barriers, fit secure latches, seal gaps, install auto door if you're going that route. Test everything thoroughly - if I can find a way in, a fox definitely can.
Our Crediton Service Coverage
We cover Crediton and a 30-mile radius from Exeter, meaning you get local service with the backing of an established business. Whether you're in the centre of Crediton or in the surrounding villages, we're here to help.
Good to Know
> 🦊 **Devon foxes are bold:** Unlike urban foxes, rural ones aren't scared of humans and will try coops even close to houses. Don't assume they won't risk it - make your coop physically secure, not just dependent on them being timid. **Automatic doors are worth it:** Timer-based or light-sensor auto doors (around £80-150) mean your birds are locked in before foxes start hunting, even if you're away or forget. Single best investment for chicken security. **Check mesh annually:** UV light and weather degrades even good mesh over time. Quick annual check for rust spots, holes, or loosening is 10 minutes well spent. **Electric fencing helps:** A couple of strands of electric poultry netting around the run adds another barrier. Won't stop a determined fox but makes your setup less appealing than next door's. **Badgers too:** If you have badgers locally, they can also tear into coops for eggs. Same principles apply - strong mesh, buried barriers, secure latches. Badgers are even stronger than foxes though.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fox proof coop in Crediton
Can you actually make a coop completely fox-proof?
Nothing's 100% against a determined fox, but yes - proper mesh (not chicken wire), buried barriers, secure latches, and no gaps bigger than 25mm makes it very difficult for them. Devon foxes are clever but they're also lazy - if your coop's properly secured, they'll move on to easier pickings.
What's wrong with chicken wire?
Foxes rip through it easily - it's designed to keep chickens in, not foxes out. You need welded mesh or hardware cloth (12mm square maximum). Costs more but actually works. I see far too many coops with chicken wire that's been torn open overnight.
Do I need to bury wire around the whole run?
Yes, if you want to stop foxes digging under. They'll dig at the fence line, so you need mesh buried at least 30cm deep, ideally bent outward at 90 degrees. It's the most work but it's what stops them getting in from below. Lots of rural Devon properties learn this the hard way.
What about the door - can foxes open latches?
They absolutely can - simple hook latches are no problem for them. You need carabiner clips, padlocks, or proper sliding bolts that need human hands to operate. And automatic doors are brilliant - hens are shut in before dusk when foxes are active, even if you forgot.
My coop is old and a bit ramshackle - is it worth fox-proofing?
Depends how bad it is. If the structure's sound but just needs securing properly, definitely yes. If it's falling apart and full of gaps, you might be better replacing it. I'll be honest about whether fix-up makes sense or whether you need to start fresh.
Get a Free Quote in Crediton
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01392 964094Request Online QuotePricing for Crediton
* Same rates for all locations in our service area
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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