Bird Netting over Run

[DuckDuckSook]

Hello there! Making some plans for my duck run and I was thinking of putting bird netting over the top of my run to keep out hawks. During the day, when we aren't out in
the backyard with them, the ducks will be in their run. The run will have hardware cloth (3 ft high on sides and 1 ft in the ground) and then chicken wire up to the top on all sides. Across the top of the run, I was going to put bird netting. Will that be okay for during the day even if we aren't outside? I will be locking the ducks up in their coop at night. I haven't seen any raccoons on our property, but I'm just being extra cautious. Will raccoons try to get into the run during the day? Thanks.

 

[Friendly_Lurker]

Raccoons are nocturnal, so no. Good luck!

 

[rosemarythyme]

The netting, properly secured, should stop hawks.

Raccoons can be active during the day, just more likely at night. Netting (and the chicken wire) may deter them but is unlikely to stop them if they really, really want to get in.

 

[SueT]

I've been using bird netting over my chicken run for about 4 yrs, and I have been pleased with it. It has held up to ice, snow, small branches falling on it, small trees growing through it, our cat walking on it, etc...
when there are any tears I 'sew' it up with zip ties. I have it stretched to cover up to 25' expanses with no problems.
here it is coated in ice and sagging:

Here is one of our kitties walking on it:

 

[IamRainey]

We have a roof.

It was originally planned to provide shade and just preserve the structural integrity of my run and coop. Then vND came along and I became grateful it will keep out the droppings of any infected wild birds.

I read somewhere that someone recommends building to the same standard as a human structure. Not sure everyone can afford that or that every circumstance requires it but I think it's a good standard to aim for. The result for us so far is no predator attacks in 3 years and no infection in 1. So far, so good!

 

[chickens really]

Seriously do what actually is good in the area your in and I'm sure you will modify as time goes on.

 

[Dougdilman]

i lost a little bantem chicken during the day to a raccoon

 

[DuckDuckSook]

I've been using bird netting over my chicken run for about 4 yrs, and I have been pleased with it. It has held up to ice, snow, small branches falling on it, small trees growing through it, our cat walking on it, etc...
when there are any tears I 'sew' it up with zip ties. I have it stretched to cover up to 25' expanses with no problems.
here it is coated in ice and sagging:
View attachment 2021618
Here is one of our kitties walking on it:
View attachment 2021620

That kitty is just simply adorable. Those eyes! Love love love!

 

[3bird]

We have a covered run that just extended the roof of the house out over the run.

We then shingled the whole thing like it was one structure.

This summer, we do want to add an "aviary" that they can be in during day in the summer while we are away. We've been looking at netting from FarmTek like this: https://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/cat1;ft_livestock_fencing;ft_bird_fencing.html

Please keep us posted on what you end up doing!

 

[DuckyDonna]

We went all out crazy with ours. We've got welded wire fencing on the top and HWC all up the sides.