20x20 fenced area attached to run....making it safe

[rosemarythyme]

I would invest in something that will last more than a year....it is a bit tedious to install...

It is a bit of work to install (especially since I mostly did mine by myself) but "investment" is a good word for it. If it'll hold up a few years (they say 7-10 years in high UV environments, if properly installed) then it's worth it to not have to worry about fussing with it for a good long time.

 

[pennyJo1960]

This is the net I'm looking at:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WFW9495/?tag=backy-20

geet two full coverage then that is what I use

 

[rhart5344]

I sometimes think people worry too much. Chickens are very alert when fully grown. I think it is more important to have places readily available for them to hide under if they fill threatened. Now don't get me wrong , if you live in an highly predator environment it may be needed but in my 30+ years of raising chickens. I have only lost a few chicks to predators. I have never lost a fully grown chicken to a predator. My girls are out all day and go into there coop voluntarily each evening. There are plenty of places for them to hide under if they fill threatened . I have hawks and cats and possums roaming around all the time and my girls will let you know when someone odd is around !! So you may want to just add a little cover for them such as a simple pallet stacked on some blocks or anything you can come up to that looks cool. Just sharing some thoughts

 

[RebelChief]

I sometimes think people worry too much. Chickens are very alert when fully grown. I think it is more important to have places readily available for them to hide under if they fill threatened. Now don't get me wrong , if you live in an highly predator environment it may be needed but in my 30+ years of raising chickens. I have only lost a few chicks to predators. I have never lost a fully grown chicken to a predator. My girls are out all day and go into there coop voluntarily each evening. There are plenty of places for them to hide under if they fill threatened . I have hawks and cats and possums roaming around all the time and my girls will let you know when someone odd is around !! So you may want to just add a little cover for them such as a simple pallet stacked on some blocks or anything you can come up to that looks cool. Just sharing some thoughts

I think my biggest fear is one of them getting out of the penned in area. My neighbors would not take kindly to it....even though we have ducks in our yards on the daily. I can't catch them so if they get out I would have a hard time catching up with them.

 

[Miraleef]

We used deer fence--7' high--for the walls and put bird netting over the top this fall, as we were having issues with red-tailed hawks. We're changing the perimeter fence to 6' chain link in the spring and will be using the sidewall/deer fence for the roof when we take it down. We are in snow country, so I'm hoping it will work for us. We do plan to run cables under it to keep it from sagging or breaking. Here's a link to what we got. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SG897Y3/?tag=backy-20

 

[David61]

You're in Brownsville, how many shrimpers do you know? Old shrimp net/ fish net if you can find it. Army navy store for parachute cord to tie it up.

 

[Mayakovsky]

We used deer fence--7' high--for the walls and put bird netting over the top this fall, as we were having issues with red-tailed hawks. We're changing the perimeter fence to 6' chain link in the spring and will be using the sidewall/deer fence for the roof when we take it down. We are in snow country, so I'm hoping it will work for us. We do plan to run cables under it to keep it from sagging or breaking. Here's a link to what we got. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SG897Y3/?tag=backy-20

My suggestion would be to use a heavy duty bird netting (2" X 2" squares) for the top.
What you are intending to use - with 3/4" squares - will prevent snow from falling through and create more than a few hassles for you with certain snowfalls.

 

[RebelChief]

You're in Brownsville, how many shrimpers do you know? Old shrimp net/ fish net if you can find it. Army navy store for parachute cord to tie it up.

I just moved here so I really don't know anyone...but I might look into that.

 

[Miraleef]

My suggestion would be to use a heavy duty bird netting (2" X 2" squares) for the top.
What you are intending to use - with 3/4" squares - will prevent snow from falling through and create more than a few hassles for you with certain snowfalls.

Thank you! I'll definitely look into this. I have been concerned about the holes getting clogged by snow.