Can I use nylon poultry net for the brooder pen roof, or is it dangerous?

[rosemarythyme]

I agree, but just fyi the incidents I had were actually with fairly taut bird netting. When they bounced off the netting (at an angle I guess) they grabbed at it with their feet. So we'd find them with their feet stuck through, not truly tangled, but a twist to the hole holding their foot. It wasn't hard to get them out but they weren't able to free themselves.
But you're totally right that loose bits and folds are the worst!

Guess I've been lucky then - I have both large opening netting as well as smaller netting (the type for gardens) around my set up and haven't had issue, but yes, best to be cautious.

The last time I had to make a top for a brooder I used hardware cloth on a cardboard frame, but wire mesh wasn't so expensive back then...

 

[StinkyAcres]

Do you think that this mesh fabric with tiny holes (it's like what laundry bags are made of) might be less of a risk? They certainly couldn't get a head or leg through, but I don't know if that's the only concern.

They could get their nails caught in that, but I really don't know how likely that is.

 

[Ocho 8 Farm]

The chicks are getting bigger and I don't want anyone flying out of the pen. The coop and run aren't finished, so I can't move them out yet. Can I use that lightweight poultry netting to make a top, or is it hazardous? I didn't know if you use something with that much give if there's a possibility of them catching themselves on it when they fly around. I liked the idea of give for when I sit in there with them and it doesn't cut any of the light they're getting since the holes are pretty big and the cording is thin.

I have used the weed preventer garden mesh before. No bad outcomes for me. It’s basically the same looking as hardware cloth but in plastic form.

 

[SplendidDogFeet]

Hmm, that's a good question.
You're right that they couldn't get their legs stuck! I can't think of anything that might be dangerous about it.
The only ones who can really answer that though are the chicks, sometimes baby-proofing is a matter of trial and error, LOL.
So it's the same fabric in a big bolt or something? By the yard? If it works for you I may be interested later

It's working so far and I haven't seen anything stuck in it.