Predator-Proof Fencing: Building a Safe Chicken Run
Losing a bird to a predator is one of the most distressing experiences in backyard chicken keeping — and in the vast majority of cases, it's preventable. Predators are smart, persistent, and patient. They will test every weakness in your run's fencing, often repeatedly over weeks, until they find a way in. Building a truly secure chicken run means thinking like a predator: what can climb, what can dig, what can reach through wire, and what can push through gaps.
This guide covers the materials, dimensions, and design details that separate a run predators can breach from one they can't.
The Most Common Predators and How They Attack
Understanding the threat shapes the solution. Different predators use different methods, and your fencing strategy needs to account for all of them in your area.
| Predator | Method of attack | Primary defence needed |
|---|---|---|
| Fox | Digging under, pushing through weak wire | Buried apron, sturdy wire |
| Raccoon | Reaching through wire, opening latches | Small mesh, two-step latches |
| Hawk / raptor | Aerial dive into open runs | Covered run or netting |
| Weasel / mink | Squeezing through gaps ≥1 inch | Hardware cloth ½ inch mesh |
| Dog | Pushing, tearing, chewing wire | Heavy-gauge hardware cloth |
| Rat / snake | Squeezing through small gaps | ½ inch mesh on all sides |
Hardware Cloth vs. Chicken Wire: Why It Matters
Chicken wire is not predator-proof. It is designed to keep chickens in, not predators out. The thin galvanised wire of standard chicken wire can be torn by a determined dog, pushed apart by a fox, and squeezed through by weasels and rats. Its hexagonal holes are also too large to stop a raccoon from reaching in and grabbing a bird through the fence.
Hardware cloth — a welded wire mesh typically available in ½ inch or 1 inch square openings — is the correct material for a predator-proof chicken run. Use ½ inch mesh for all sides, the base of the run if you're using a ground layer, and any ventilation openings in the sleeping section. The 1 inch mesh is acceptable for the roof of a covered run where climbing predators are not a significant risk, but ½ inch is safer everywhere else. See our Covered vs Open Chicken Runs guide for roof options.
Fence Height: How High Is High Enough?
Most foxes can jump or climb a 4-foot fence without difficulty. Raccoons are excellent climbers and can scale virtually any fence without a deterrent at the top. The minimum fence height for a secure run is 6 feet. At this height, most foxes won't attempt to jump, and you can add an outward-angling overhang or roller bar at the top to stop climbing predators.
For runs with an open top, a roof of hardware cloth or welded wire is the most secure option. This also protects against aerial predators. If a full roof is not practical, a 12-inch outward-angled extension at the top of the fence — sometimes called a coyote roller or anti-climb extension — significantly reduces climbing success for most predators.
Stopping Diggers: The Buried Apron
Digging is the most common method of predator entry into a chicken run. Foxes in particular are determined diggers that will work at the base of a fence for hours. There are two effective solutions:
Buried skirt method
Bury hardware cloth 12 inches straight down at the base of the fence, then extend it 12 inches horizontally outward underground in an L-shape. This creates a subsurface barrier that stops a predator digging straight down at the fence line. Most diggers don't know to move back from the fence and dig further out — they give up when they hit wire.
Surface apron method
If digging is impractical, lay hardware cloth flat on the ground extending 18–24 inches outward from the fence base and secure it with ground staples or tent pegs. Cover with soil, gravel, or wood chips. Grass will grow through it quickly. This is faster to install than a buried skirt and equally effective for most predators.
Gates and Latches: The Weakest Link
A perfectly built fence means nothing if the gate can be pushed open or the latch manipulated. Raccoons are capable of opening simple spring latches, hook-and-eye closures, and even sliding bolts if they can get purchase. Use two-step latches — where two separate actions are required to open the gate — on all run gates. A snap clip through the latch mechanism adds another layer of security at night when predator pressure is highest.
Gate frames should fit snugly with a gap of no more than half an inch on all sides. Larger gaps invite predators to force the gate open or reach through. Reinforce the frame with hardware cloth covering any gaps between the gate frame and fence posts.
Post Selection and Spacing
Fence posts need to be strong enough to hold tight hardware cloth under tension. Use 4×4 inch pressure-treated timber posts for corners and gates, and 2×4 inch posts or T-posts at regular intervals — no more than 8 feet apart, ideally 6 feet. Set posts at least 2 feet into the ground (more in soft or sandy soil) to resist pushing and digging pressure from large predators. For sandy or loose soil, concrete footings around each post add significant stability.
Electric Fencing as an Additional Layer
A single strand of electric fencing at 6 inches and another at 12 inches above ground level around the perimeter of your run is the most effective deterrent for persistent diggers and climbers like foxes and coyotes. It doesn't replace hardware cloth — it supplements it. Most predators that receive a shock at the fence perimeter do not return. Portable solar-powered energisers make electric fencing practical even in gardens without fixed power access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chicken wire safe for a chicken run?
No. Chicken wire keeps chickens in but is not predator-proof. It can be torn, pushed apart, or penetrated by foxes, dogs, and raccoons. Use ½ inch hardware cloth instead.
How deep should I bury fencing around a chicken run?
Bury hardware cloth at least 12 inches down, then extend it 12 inches horizontally outward underground in an L-shape. This stops diggers from breaching the base of the fence.
What gauge hardware cloth is best for a chicken run?
19-gauge ½ inch hardware cloth is the most widely recommended. It resists tearing, has small enough mesh to stop weasels and rats, and is rigid enough to stand up to pushing from larger predators.
How do I stop raccoons from opening my chicken run gate?
Use two-step latches that require two separate actions to open. Add a snap clip or carabiner through the latch as a third layer of security, especially at night.