Aviary Net

[RebelChief]

I got ambitious today and put up the 50x50 net I purchased from Amazon. I went with the larger size so I could drape it down over the chain link to block any escape routes the girls have found. I pulled the center up to a high tree limb and attached the remainder to the coop, fence and side of my garage.

The girls are happy. As soon as I walk out to the run in the AM they are all excited because they think they get to go in the pen. Now I feel safer allowing them to have more time out there without me babysitting the entire time.

 

[sourland]

Well done.

 

[muddy75]

first pic is current netting, 2nd is previous netting

I got ambitious today and put up the 50x50 net I purchased from Amazon. I went with the larger size so I could drape it down over the chain link to block any escape routes the girls have found. I pulled the center up to a high tree limb and attached the remainder to the coop, fence and side of my garage.

The girls are happy. As soon as I walk out to the run in the AM they are all excited because they think they get to go in the pen. Now I feel safer allowing them to have more time out there without me babysitting the entire time.

not sure from the pics which netting you purchased, and i hate to be a “debbie downer” but i unfortunately learned from experience that most of the nettings are garbage! I had one over my chicken area that looked to be okay, but did not ultimately hold up against raccoons and was too big to hold quail. I had one with smaller openings that didn’t hold up against anything! raccoons and hawks were able to get in, quail would get tangled and injured, and larger gamebirds could break through and escape! I finally invested in the 8-10 year HD netting and while it is a bit pricey, I have been very happy with it! No escapes, injuries, repairs, nor predator invasions so far!!! (I also added electric fencing before changing netting for predator control.)

 

[RebelChief]

View attachment 1993644 View attachment 1993645 first pic is current netting, 2nd is previous netting
not sure from the pics which netting you purchased, and i hate to be a “debbie downer” but i unfortunately learned from experience that most of the nettings are garbage! I had one over my chicken area that looked to be okay, but did not ultimately hold up against raccoons and was too big to hold quail. I had one with smaller openings that didn’t hold up against anything! raccoons and hawks were able to get in, quail would get tangled and injured, and larger gamebirds could break through and escape! I finally invested in the 8-10 year HD netting and while it is a bit pricey, I have been very happy with it! No escapes, injuries, repairs, nor predator invasions so far!!! (I also added electric fencing before changing netting for predator control.)

Right now after the cost of the coop build...it's what I can afford. I'm mostly concerned with keeping them in their area over anything else. I do worry a bit about hawks but I'm hoping the net and the tree would be enough of a deterrent. It's a pretty sturdy net. I had some sticks twisted up in it and did not damage the net at all trying to pull them out.

 

[RebelChief]

• Vosfast 50' X 50' Net Netting for Bird Poultry Aviary Game Pens New 2.4" Square Mesh Size to Protect Fruit Trees Plants
  
  
• High Quality Bird Net :This bird net is suitable to raising any type of Poultry, pond netting, garden barrier; protects your fruit/tree/crops from bird intruders, Such as sparrows and crows. At the same time, you don't need to worry about the hawk will snatch your chicken
• Friendly for wildlife: The bird netting comes with 2.4inch mesh & suitable thickness of rope, as an outdoor cover like a fence. Conspicuous color and scientific design, allows wildlife will not be entangled in the net. Protect plants without harming birds
• Protect your plants :Anti bird net with 2.4"mesh prevents birds and small animals from eating or damaging plants, vegetables, trees, crops and fruits. It won't hurt these animals or interfere with plant growth.
• High quality material: High quality polyethylene high temperature dissolving silk woven with anti-cold heat extremely long service life. It is UV and rot resistant built for long life, it’s tough enough to withstand the effects of the sun and bad weather conditions, 24/7, 365 days a year

 

[David61]

I looked at this stuff for over a month while I looked for used shrimp netting. Shrimping was so bad here last year because they opened the Bonnet Carré Spillway no one replaced any nets. So I paid $75.99 for 25x50 2" heavy mesh from pinnon hatch farms. Heavy polypropylene. Looking at how much the net weighs compared to others I believe the reviews that its the one to have and will get 8 years out of it. Its is heavy at 13 lbs where other 25x50s are 2.5 lbs or 4.4 lbs. They said its rated at 85bls/235bls breaking. Snow rated LOL like I ever see enough snow to make a snow gnome. If I had to go bigger the 4.4lbs 50x50 $42.
I'm with you on start up costs. The cheaper stuff will keep the hawks out just as well for a year or two.

 

[RebelChief]

By the time I have to replace it, will have had time to "recover" from the cost of the coop. In the mean time I will most def look into some fishing net for the future. They seem sooo much happier. As soon as I walk out to check on them in the AM they are at the door bouncing around to get out there and start digging in the leaves. I have been dumping all of the fall leaves from my trees out there in anticipation of letting them forage around in there for bugs. Seems to be a hit...plus it gives them more room without me worrying about cats, dogs and cars.

 

[muddy75]

By the time I have to replace it, will have had time to "recover" from the cost of the coop. In the mean time I will most def look into some fishing net for the future. They seem sooo much happier. As soon as I walk out to check on them in the AM they are at the door bouncing around to get out there and start digging in the leaves. I have been dumping all of the fall leaves from my trees out there in anticipation of letting them forage around in there for bugs. Seems to be a hit...plus it gives them more room without me worrying about cats, dogs and cars.

It looks like you did a beautiful job!! glad your girls are enjoying it! and yes, it should hold up well for you for that purpose!

 

[RebelChief]

Update: So far it has been very successful. I did lose one chicken but I think it's because I forgot to close the door between the run and the pen and something got in that way. All it left me was the scalp and where the eyes were. I felt horrible.

Two weeks ago I caught a beautiful owl in the net. It wasn't hurt that I could tell. Animal control came and got it and took it to get the net from around it's neck and wings. It was a big bird and he didn't want to mess with it awake. he said they would let it lose after they made sure it was ok.

 

[David61]

Yes, forgetting to close the run/coop door is a problem.
$250 for an automatic door is not going to happen for me.
The heavy net I got is great. It is lose draped and goes to the ground over the fence. I don't see a coon climbing it without getting tangled up. But net is for hawks not four legged critters.