Chicken wire overhead??

[billp]

Is the only reason that one would put chicken wire over the top of a run to keep varmits out, or is there more to it?
Thanks

 

[dulcimer lady]

If their wings aren't clipped, some of them can fly higher than you would think.

 

[suebee]

So your chickens won't fly out.

 

[billp]

Thanks,
I had cosidered that, but assumed that wing clipping would solve that problem. I just don't like the look of the wire over the top. I plan to put my hens in at night. Could a hawk snatch them up?
Sorry to be such a newbie. We are going to convert half of our barn into a coop an I just want to do it right.
Thanks

 

[mdbokc]

If you are only interested in keeping chickens in, you can run a maze using mason line across the top. I use mason line on 12"- 18" centers across the narrow dimension of the run (think long, narrow rectangles). They don't fly out and wings are not clipped. It will not keep predators out although none have come in. The electric fence, low and high, have stopped those attempts. I'll put up a tarp for shade on part of it when it gets hot.

Have hawks but no attempts to get in. Hawks stopped visiting after placing CDs up and creating a revolving light show.

 

[elmo]

Chicken wire on the top would keep chickens in and would keep hawks but not most other kind of predators out. So you'd have to lock your chickens inside a secure coop at night when raccoons are likely to be prowling.