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It looks like we are getting some more chickens. We currently have two covered chicken runs but I want to make this one larger, part of which will be uncovered. What would you say is the minimum height to avoid the local fox getting in or the chickens getting out, I was thinking of about 6 feet, does that sound reasonable?

Cheers

We were told 6' by the breeder we went to but at the top of hers there was about 2' at the top angled outwards if you know what I mean ;) ;D. Good luck with your chickens.

We were told the same as Grannyjanny but, if there are trees or buidings around, we were told it needed a roof as the foxes will climb and jump in

...and if there is anything what they can use as platform for 'take off' even if its only couple feet high..then you need to think adding to that extra for your run height.. ::) Foxes are truly clever and capable.
If you don't want actual roof you could still cover the top with chicken wire..just to be in safe side.

Thanks, much appreciated!

Hi
brilliant getting more chucks how exciting.

When i built my run earlier in the year i couldnt afford to put chicken wire or sturdy mesh to 6ft so i built to 3ft/4ft with sturdy mesh and then covered and tied in over the top with heavy duty fruit netting. This works great becuase its to wobbly for a fox or cat to get a grip on to climb and the chickens can take off but have a soft upper barrier to stop them getting out into the garden. and it keeps wild birds out of the coop keeping disease transmisson to a minimum.


but i found that making a rickety ramp than only the chickens could climb made them much more secure in the garden as even if a fox got in they could run into the coop and be safe. So thats something to try to if you havent already. hugh fearnly whittingstall has pictures of rickety ramps  (its just a post with sticks nailed to it) high up into the coop.

good luck with your new uns!
x sunloving

Thanks, I'm still unsure how we're going to set it up as we already have a couple of runs and it's slowly turning into Chicken City.

Another question if I may.

The chicks actually are coming free with an incubator, they'll be a mixture of what they call "rustic" chickens and Sussex. The rustics are good layers apparently and I was hoping that the Sussex (some of them) would be ok for the table - does anyone have any experience with Sussex in that regard?

Cheers!

does anyone have any experience with Sussex in that regard
Not personally, but friend of mine does. Apprantely sussex are reasonably good layers and still "edible" after couple years..makes good table bird =roast if used when still young.
But don't hurry to choose your roasts. Sounds like you are getting chicks?  If so you'll be sorting cockerels out of girls eventually. Sometimes you may end up with more males than females. Then you can keep growing and bulking all the young males up and once they start practicing their 'vocal talents' you can then roast them for better use...regarless of the breed ;)

agree eat the boys but keep the girls for eggs. mine only stoped laying on nov 14th which is months beyond many other breeds.

in my little group the light sussexes have the most meat and are significantly heavier than the silvers.

:)
x sunloving

That's very helpful, thanks a lot.