Chain Link Run

[NewcoopNewpoop]

I have a rectangular chain link run to serve initially as a quarantine run for incoming hens and after that to be a lockdown area for the hens if we will be gone for the weekend.
I dont want to do the top in tin, the run is in a well shaded area.
I was wondering if something like an old soccer net would work for the top?
I also have heavy plastic garden netting with 1/2" holes, could i use this for a barrier around the bottom half of the fence instead of hardware cloth?

What are your alls thoughts?

 

[Ridgerunner]

I was wondering if something like an old soccer net would work for the top?

What are you trying to accomplish? Obviously a net will not keep rain out. For a lot of people that is not a big deal. Rain or snow can blow in from the side anyway.

Soccer nets come in different sizes and come with different sized openings. They are often made with fairly tough string. One should keep flying predators out and chickens in. They will stop or at least hinder a lot of climbing predators though some might be able to tear the string. How you connect that netting to your fence top may be a weak point.

I also have heavy plastic garden netting with 1/2" holes, could i use this for a barrier around the bottom half of the fence instead of hardware cloth?

Same kind of thoughts. The chain link will keep any decent sized predator out and your chickens in though baby chicks may be able to get through the chain link. Certain critters like mice, rats, snakes, and small weasels can get through chain link. That 1/2" netting will stop or at least hinder them.

I'd consider both of those not perfect but a lot better than nothing.

 

[NewcoopNewpoop]

Not worried about rain or snow coming in. I think nets are made of nylon so say a coon wanted to walk across it or chew on it.
I thought about zip tying frequently across the top. Same for the heavy black plastic garden net, all the way around the bottom half and zip tied.

 

[Sally PB]

No snow, but how about a load of autumn leaves?

It will not keep out poop from passing birds. That has proven to be a possible vector for AI.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If it's strictly to keep chickens in and deter some predators (aerial for example) then the soccer net is probably fine.

Same with the plastic garden netting around perimeter - it'll keep chickens in and may deter some predators.

 

[NewcoopNewpoop]

If it's strictly to keep chickens in and deter some predators (aerial for example) then the soccer net is probably fine.

Same with the plastic garden netting around perimeter - it'll keep chickens in and may deter some predators.

What are the predators (besides snakes) it wouldnt work against?

 

[rosemarythyme]

What are the predators (besides snakes) it wouldnt work against?

With the soccer net anything large that could climb (i.e. mountain lion) could possibly break through the attachment points through sheer weight, though that's unlikely. My run is netted with heavy duty poultry netting, as primarily I'm warding off raptors.

The plastic garden netting (if it's anything like the stuff I have) could definitely be broken through by raccoons who can then reach in and grab chickens. Weasels would be the other one off the top of my head. Rats and mice could chew through. My run is chain link w/ hardware cloth around the bottom few feet so yes rats and small pests can climb in, but raccoons have tested it and haven't broken in so that's mainly what I'm trying to exclude.

 

[Ecarroll]

I have a rectangular chain link run to serve initially as a quarantine run for incoming hens and after that to be a lockdown area for the hens if we will be gone for the weekend.
I dont want to do the top in tin, the run is in a well shaded area.
I was wondering if something like an old soccer net would work for the top?
I also have heavy plastic garden netting with 1/2" holes, could i use this for a barrier around the bottom half of the fence instead of hardware cloth?

What are your alls thoughts?

I have a similar set up regarding the netting, mine is an old fish net thrown over the top. However, I live in an area with no coyotes, foxes, weasels of large mammal predators, just hawks, owls and raccoons. As for the chain link on the side you may want to do hardware cloth on the bottom, buried a little bit to keep out raccoons skunks and foxes.

 

[Ridgerunner]

What are the predators (besides snakes) it wouldnt work against?

For the top, climbing predators like fox, raccoon, or bobcat may be able to get through. That depends on the size of the holes, whether they can tear the material, or tear it loose at the connections. It will hinder them if they ever show up. That might be enough but it is not 100% guaranteed. It is a lot better than open.

The chain link will stop almost any larger predator. The only thing that stops a bear is electricity. Your 1/2" netting should stop smaller predators but mice, rats, snakes, and some weasels can climb halfway up the fence and get through the chain link up there.

As @Ecarroll brought up, critters can dig in or even just force their way in along the bottom. You might be surprised at how small of a gap they need. One way to greatly reduce this risk is to put an apron around the coop/run. Lay out a trip or wire mesh between 12" and 24" wide around the bottom of your coop/run on the outside where the predators will be. Lay it flat then attach it firmly to the bottom of your coop/run so there are no significant gaps. Overlap the corners. Some people leave these on top of the ground so grass can grow through but I like to bury mine a couple of inches, basically remove the sod, lay and attach the wire, then replace the sod. This is a lot easier that digging a deep trench around the entire coop/run and burying the wire vertically. Burying it a bit keeps it out of the way of weed eaters and lawn mowers. The idea is that the predator goes up to the fence, starts digging, hits the wire mesh, and does not know to back up.

Personally I use J-Clips, hog rings, or wire to attach them. Some people say that the plastic zip ties can get brittle over time.

 

[townchicks]

Netting will stop birds of prey. Any predator with teeth can and would simply chew or tear it. Might it slow them down? Possibly, but deter? No. Snakes can also get into netting, depending on the size of both. This plan will not keep your chickens safe.