Hi all I have a bit of situation and need advice from ones that have similar one. We are backed by very tall pine trees. I am next to fencing about 5 000 sf of that backyard to create a run, but because we have airborne predators, I want to net it from the top. Even already have the net. Thing is, we do have storms of various strength - and branches fall down into the backyard. One hand, I do have to have run covered from the top. On the other hand - what happens with fallen stuff? I mean - it get it, it'll fall onto the net. How do you rid of it? Looking at 35 x 100 f or so run. So it's not easy "reach and grab". I'll have tension wire every standard fence post apart. Do you simply bounce them from the inside towards the edge? Netting is 2 inch diamond opening. yes, we can get some rather large branches. It's mast pines. I'll trim whatever next to the fence within reach. But those are easy 60-80 ft tall. Thank you
I have a similar situation with Maple trees. Definitely you need to have a covered, we also have air predators. In this winter I lost 3 of my young pullets to hawks (a pair of red tails) and a Falcon. I usually bounce the stuff off the top of the run. I also bought a small rake that has a long pole and is not too heavy and gently grab stuff from the middle of the run towards the edge and then either grab it with my hands or gently bounce it off the top. It would be a good idea if some how you can add resistance to the roof by adding some sort of support. I have metal pipes, so that it gives more strength. I never had a big branch fallen on top of it, If that happens it still would probably damage the roof. I also cover the roof with tarps, especially now in the winter, the whole run looks like a blue, Christmas present wrapped up. It has been brutal of a winter up here in the Northeast. In the summer I remove some of the tarps to allow the sun in, as my girls and boys absolutely love to take sun bathes.
Gotcha. That's as much as I figured myself. I also have a VERY long expendable pole tree trimmer, with sort of cord operated "claw" that will easily extend past the cover width midline. I already used it as a "grabber" for some hard to reach things. Think I'll be awright. Thank you. No, we do not have major winters and eventually I'll set two support posts in the middle. Y'all know it's never ending improvements.
I have the same situation 40 x 40' pen with netting and trees. Last winter a big dead log fell on the net, amazingly the net did NOT break, just stretch along with the wire fence and the log was on the ground. Took two men to lift it and "roll" it off the top of the net. I also had a tall 4x4 pole put in the center keep the net from sagging (it does sag/stretch a bit after you put it up). Put a bucket or a metal dog dish on top of the pole so it doesn't tear the net. The pole works but I need a couple of more. Just added some perches to the pole so my bantams can use it for recreation too. Op if you can put the poles in when the net goes up, the net WILL sag and unless you are a tiny person you will be hunching over.
I have a much smaller grow-out pen covered with bird netting. I tied it to the fence with baling twine every few feet. When ever I've needed to remove the netting for maintenance issues, I just cut the twine and let the net fall to the ground. Either push it in away from the fence or walk on it, depending on what needs to be done. When finished, tighten it back up and re-tie it with more baling twine.