can you use the Plastic poultry netting on coops/pens?

[spiritdance]

Quote:
x2, and I have at times lined larger grid wire with it to contain tinies and keep little birdbrains inside the fence (to avoid that oh so traumatic guillotine experience if the neighbor's dog happens by). But it is a temporary solution at best on any perimeter fences (i.e. replace asap with hardware cloth) and even on dividers I have found that it tends to get brittle after a while in the sun. Still, the cost is great and it is easy to work with, so sometimes it can be a good short-term solution in the right places.

 

[shelleyd2008]

I don't know how much the plastic poultry netting costs, but if it's anything like the plastic garden fencing, it's about the same price as chicken wire. Probably wouldn't be cost-effective to use it.

Have you checked at your local hardware store? I know some of them in my area will cut wire for you. For example, if you are making something that only needs a 2' x 3' piece, you don't want to buy a whole roll of wire, so they'll sell you a 2' x 3' section. It costs more over-all that way, but if you aren't going to use a huge roll, why spend the extra money for it?

However, the small rolls of hardware cloth are usually about 10', I'm sure you could use all of that for one pen. The last time I bought a roll that small, I think it was $15.

 

[Chick Charm]

So no intetion here of sounding egotistical.
Hardware cloth has worked for countless thousands of coops/aviaries/pens/hutches ect so why try to fight it. It has been tested through time and many situations and seems to be the best for small enclosures. Cost is a factor for sure, but consider the benefits of not loosing your birds. Simply put, hardware cloth works. To date I have never ever used anything but hardware cloth on ANY COOP/HUTCH/PEN/AVIARY that I personally have built. And I have been building for a while. And I have never had ANY predator TAKE a single bird from me, so something must be working. It is also simple to work with.

 

[thekid]

the cost of it makes me go mad....

Around $80 for a 50 foot roll.

 

[TwoCrows]

Quote:
X2

This can not be stressed enough about using the proper materials to protect your birds. These predators have a lot of time on their hands. And your pens, coops, runs, etc... are only as strong as the weakest link. They will find it eventually. Hardware cloth is the ONLY way to go. I have also NEVER lost a single quail or chicken to a predator. My property may not look pretty draped in all this metal....hardware cloth, chain link fencing, corrugated metal roofing, but it works. If you are going to keep birds of any sort out of doors, do the right thing for THEM and protect them properly.

 

[gamebirdboy]

On my newest pen I used some plastic coated HWC over some 1x1 inch rabbit wire on an old TSC rabbit hutch I found at a swap. Works great, I boxed in another side and instant quail pen. All I need to do is put a good door on it.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
I got a 100' x 3' roll for $87