Chicken run fencing in Exeter
Professional chicken run fencing services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£260+
Typical Duration
Half day to full day
Location
Exeter, Devon
Chicken run fencing built properly - fox-proof mesh, buried edges, secure gates. Your hens safe from predators that are all too common in Devon.
Foxes Are Real, And They're Clever
Got chickens? Then you've got foxes interested in them. Devon's full of foxes, even in Exeter suburbs, and they're smart, determined, and surprisingly strong. A properly built run isn't optional if you want to keep your hens.
💡 Reality check: I've rebuilt many chicken runs after fox attacks. It's horrible - chickens killed, owners devastated, and always the same problem: the original run wasn't actually secure. Chicken wire, gaps at ground level, gates that didn't latch properly. False economy that costs you your hens.
What Makes A Proper Fox-Proof Run
| Critical Element | Why It Matters | How It's Done |
|---|---|---|
| Mesh size & strength | Foxes tear through cheap chicken wire | Welded mesh or weld mesh, small holes, strong gauge |
| Ground protection | Foxes dig under fencing | Wire buried 30cm+ OR bent outward at ground level |
| Frame strength | Foxes push and tear at weak points | Proper timber frame, securely fastened |
| Gate security | Weakest point in many runs | Proper hinges, secure latch, no gaps |
| Roof covering | Foxes can climb, birds of prey exist | Mesh over top or solid roof |
Pricing
Because every chicken run is different, I quote each one individually:
Price depends on:
- Size (number of chickens/area covered)
- Terrain (flat, sloping, obstacles)
- What exists already (coop to attach to, existing fencing)
- Spec (basic secure vs elaborate)
- Materials (you supply vs I supply)
Typical range for standard run:
- Small (4-6 chickens): £260-350
- Medium (8-12 chickens): £350-500
- Large/custom: £500+
Includes all labor and materials (if I'm supplying). Custom quote for your specific needs.
Why Professional Build Matters
✅ Actually fox-proof - built properly, not bodged
✅ Lasts years - proper materials and construction
✅ Gates work - hinged properly, latch securely
✅ Ground protection - buried or bent wire stops digging
✅ No gaps - foxes exploit any weakness, properly built runs don't have them
Why Choose Us for Chicken run fencing in Exeter?
Fox-proof fencing done properly
Secure runs that actually protect hens
Gates that close and latch reliably
Built to last, not bodged together
What to Expect
Step 1: Site Visit & Quote
I'll look at where the run's going, what you've already got (coop etc), terrain, and what you want. Then quote the whole job - materials and labor.
Step 2: Materials Sorted
Either supply everything myself, or you can purchase materials to the spec I provide. If I'm supplying, I'll get proper fox-proof mesh, treated timber, secure gates.
Step 3: Build The Run
Construct the frame, attach mesh properly (not just stapled loosely), sort ground protection, hang gate, make it all secure. Properly, not rushed.
Step 4: Your Hens Are Safe
Chickens can use their run without you worrying every time you hear foxes at night. Properly built protection.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to build your own chicken run? Here's what you need to know:
🦊 Understanding foxes
- They dig, climb, push, tear, and are persistent
- They come at night but also during day
- They'll test the whole perimeter looking for weakness
- Chicken wire is NOT fox-proof (they rip through it)
- One gap is all they need
🔨 Materials that actually work
- Weld mesh (19mm holes, 1.2-1.6mm thick wire minimum)
- OR welded wire mesh (small aperture, heavy gauge)
- NOT chicken wire (only keeps chickens in, not foxes out)
- Treated timber for frame (4x2 minimum for uprights)
- Proper gate hinges and secure latches
🏗️ Construction that works
- Bury wire 30cm deep around perimeter, OR
- Bend wire out horizontally 30cm at ground level (foxes dig down, hit wire, give up)
- Attach mesh securely (staples alone aren't enough, use wire ties too)
- Cover top with mesh (foxes climb)
- Make gate gaps minimal (foxes squeeze through amazing small gaps)
⚠️ Common DIY failures
- Using chicken wire (false economy, foxes get through)
- Not protecting ground level (foxes dig under)
- Gaps around gate (foxes are determined)
- Weak attachment of mesh (foxes tear it loose)
- Thinking it'll be fine (it won't - foxes will test it)
💡 Pro tip: If you're building your own run, overengineer it. Think "this seems excessive" rather than "this should be enough." Foxes are more determined and clever than you think. And losing your chickens to a fox because you skimped on mesh is heartbreaking.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🦊 Devon fox reality: Even in Exeter suburbs, foxes are common. They're not just a rural problem. If you have chickens, you will have foxes interested in them. Proper security isn't optional.
Existing runs - I've secured many runs that were "good enough" until they weren't. Usually it's adding ground protection, replacing weak mesh, fixing gate gaps. Often cheaper than building new.
Coop integration - runs need to connect to your coop securely (no gaps where coop meets run). I'll make sure that junction is fox-proof too.
Terrain challenges - slopes, trees, existing structures - Devon gardens often have quirks. I'll work with what you've got to make a secure run that fits the space.
Moving runs - some people want movable runs (fresh grass for hens). That's possible but harder to make properly fox-proof. Fixed runs are more secure.
Automatic doors - if you've got automatic coop doors (close at dusk), the run can be less elaborate. If hens are locked in coop at night, daytime run security is simpler. I can advise on setup.
Future expansion - if you're planning to get more hens eventually, we can build bigger now or design so it's easy to extend later.
Planning regulations - most chicken runs don't need planning permission, but if you're building something large or in unusual location, worth checking with council. I can advise on what usually needs permission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a chicken run actually fox-proof?
Wire mesh small enough they can't get through (definitely not chicken wire - foxes tear through that), buried at least 30cm deep or bent outward at ground level (stops digging under), secure frame that doesn't have gaps, and a gate that actually latches properly. Also needs to be strong enough that foxes can't just rip it apart - they're surprisingly strong and determined.
Can you build a run for an existing coop?
Yes - that's really common. You've got the coop, you need a secure run attached to it. I'll work with whatever coop you've got and build a run that connects properly and keeps your hens safe.
Do you provide materials or just labor?
I can supply everything and give you one total price, or work with materials you've purchased. Most people prefer me to supply it because I know what actually works and what's false economy. I'll quote it either way.
How do you price chicken run fencing?
Every run is different - size, terrain, what you already have, how elaborate you want it. I need to see the site or at least get good photos and measurements to quote properly. Typical run for 4-6 chickens might be £260-400 depending on size and spec.
Will it definitely keep foxes out?
Nothing's 100% - determined predators are clever - but properly built runs with buried/bent wire, secure mesh, and good gates will keep out 99% of fox attempts. The key is doing it properly, not cutting corners. Foxes WILL find any weakness in a bodged run.
Chicken run fencing Also Available In:
Get a Free Quote in Exeter
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your chicken run fencing job in Exeter.
01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
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!
Why Trust Us
Related Services
Need Chicken run fencing in Exeter?
Get a free quote for your chicken run fencing job in Exeter today.