How to Install Predator Proof Coop Skirting
Table of Contents
- Chicken Wire vs Weld Mesh for Foxes: Why the Material Matters
- How to Stop Rats Digging Under Chicken Coop Skirting
- Installing Weld Mesh on GardenLife Runs: A Step-by-Step Guide
- For more details on building a metal walk in run see here.
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: 23 September 2026
Chicken Wire vs Weld Mesh for Foxes: Why the Material Matters
Chicken wire vs weld mesh for foxes is the biggest decision when installing predator proof coop skirting. Foxes stretch chicken wire until it tears; weld mesh holds firm.
Predator proof coop skirting is a mesh apron laid flat on the ground around the base of a chicken run, burying the run's edge under a barrier that stops foxes digging in and rats tunnelling up.
Chicken wire is thin and flexible: a fox will snap the fixings and squeeze underneath. Weld mesh is welded at every joint, so the grid stays rigid.
GardenLife runs use 38mm steel tubing from a UK-based manufacturer, and you can upgrade them with one-inch weld mesh, which is far more predator proof than plain chicken wire.
How to Stop Rats Digging Under Chicken Coop Skirting
Rats dig smaller, tighter tunnels than foxes, so you need finer mesh. Foxes dig at the perimeter; rats burrow up from underneath into the coop floor.
So the fix has two parts:
- One-inch weld mesh around the edges, laid flat, to stop foxes digging at the boundary - THIS IS A MUST DO option!
- Half-inch weld mesh across the entire run floor, to stop rats coming up from below - this is OPTIONAL, as they often still find a way in.
Half-inch mesh stops rats squeezing through; one-inch mesh handles foxes fine, but rats slip through it.
Installing Weld Mesh on GardenLife Runs: A Step-by-Step Guide
Installing weld mesh on GardenLife runs must be bought with the run, not added later.
What you'll need:
- GardenLife run with the weld mesh upgrade
- Gloves and wire cutters
Step 1: Position the run. Set it where it will live; moving it later disturbs the mesh.
Step 2: Lay the floor mesh. Roll half-inch mesh across the whole run base to stop rats burrowing up.
Step 3: Lay the perimeter skirt flat. Roll one-inch mesh outward from the run edge to stop foxes digging under.
Step 4: Secure the edges. Peg or weigh down the outer edge so the mesh stays flat.
Step 5: Cover with soil or turf. Let grass grow back through it. The mesh disappears, the protection doesn't
For more details on building a metal walk in run see here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is weld mesh better than chicken wire for predator proofing?
Weld mesh is welded at every intersection, so it will not stretch or tear like chicken wire. Foxes can easily bite through or pull apart chicken wire, but 19g half-inch or one-inch weld mesh resists this. For a truly predator proof coop, weld mesh is the reliable choice. GardenLife runs offer one-inch weld mesh as an upgrade, and half-inch mesh can be laid on the ground to stop rats burrowing.
How wide should a fox-proof dig skirt be?
A dig skirt should extend at least 30 to 45 centimetres out from the base of the run. Foxes typically start digging right next to the structure, so a 45 cm skirt of weld mesh laid flat on the ground and secured with ground pegs will deter them. For extra security, you can bury the mesh just below the surface or cover it with soil and grass.
Do I need to bury the mesh or lay it flat?
Laying the mesh flat on the ground and covering it with a thin layer of soil or grass is effective and easier than burying. Foxes will try to dig at the edge, but when they hit the mesh, they give up. For rats, use half-inch weld mesh under the entire run floor. This prevents them from burrowing up. Always secure the mesh to the run frame with cable ties or clips.
Foxes and rats both test the weakest point of any run, and that point is almost always the ground line. Chartley Chucks supplies GardenLife runs with the weld mesh upgrade built in, so the floor and skirt are protected from day one. Choose the half-inch ground cover for full rat protection, or the one-inch option for fox-proofing at the perimeter, and get free shipping across the UK. Get started with Chartley Chucks and secure your run before the next fox finds it.
