Fox proof coop in Exeter
Professional fox proof coop services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£110-160
Typical Duration
2-3 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
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.
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 |
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
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.
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 Exeter?
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.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to fox-proof your own coop? Here's the reality check:
🔧 Materials you'll need
- Welded wire mesh 12-19mm (NOT chicken wire)
- Wire clips or hog rings and tool
- Spade for digging barrier trench
- Carabiner clips or padlocks for doors
- Screws, nails, timber for repairs
- Wire cutters and tin snips
- Work gloves - mesh is sharp
🦊 What foxes exploit
- Gaps - anything 25mm+ is an entry point, check everywhere
- Weak mesh - chicken wire is useless, they tear through it
- No dig barrier - they'll tunnel under fencing easily
- Simple latches - spring hooks and basic locks they can manipulate
- Rotten timber - they'll claw through soft wood to make gaps bigger
🔨 Making it secure
- Replace all chicken wire with welded mesh 12mm maximum
- Bury L-shaped mesh barrier 30cm deep, 30cm outward at base
- Use carabiner clips or slide bolts that need thumbs to operate
- Seal every gap with mesh or timber - be thorough
- Check corners and joins especially - common weak spots
- Test by pulling and pushing - foxes are strong
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Using chicken wire - waste of time and money
- Not burying mesh deep enough - foxes dig
- Leaving gaps "too small for a fox" - they squeeze through tiny spaces
- Forgetting roof mesh if run isn't fully enclosed
- Simple latches - foxes learn to open these
💡 Pro trick: Put a trail camera watching your coop for a few nights - you'll see exactly where foxes are investigating and what they're trying. Helps you understand your actual weak points rather than guessing.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
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
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.
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